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Thomas de Quincey

Thomas de Quincey Quotes

Essayist

Thomas de Quincey was an English essayist and critic, renowned for his personal experiences and philosophical reflections on opium. His work 'On the Use and Abuse of Opium' is one of the most famous autobiographical essays of the 19th century and has had a profound impact on literature and psychology.

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All Men Humans Pleasure Thomas De Quincey Murder Children Literature Opium Art Book Clouds Doubt Dust Fate Firsts Grandeur Has Beens Ifs Intellect May

Famous Thomas de Quincey Quotes

“Opium! dread agent of unimaginable pleasure and pain! I had heard of it as I had of manna or of ambrosia, but no further. How unmeaning a sound was it at that time: what solemn chords does it now strike upon my heart! What heart-quaking vibrations of sad and happy remembrances!”

Pain Pleasure Opium Hedonism

Book:Confessions of an English Opium Eater

Source: Confessions of an English Opium Eater

“There is first the literature of knowledge, and secondly, the literature of power. The function of the first is--to teach; the function of the second is--to move, the first is a rudder, the second an oar or a sail. The first speaks to the mere discursive understanding; the second speaks ultimately, it may happen, to the higher understanding or reason, but always through affections of pleasure and sympathy.”

Firsts May Reason Happens Moving Literature Speak Understanding Pleasure Teach Higher Function Mere Affection Sail Oar Rudders

Book:Leaders in literature

Source: Leaders in literature

“Out of the ruined lodge and forgotten mansion, bowers that are trodden under foot, and pleasure-houses that are dust, the poet calls up a palingenesis.”

Poetry House Pleasure Feet Poet Forgotten Dust Ruined Mansions Lodges

Book:Essays on the Poets: And Other English Writers

Source: Essays on the Poets: And Other English Writers

“Books, we are told, propose to instruct or to amuse. Indeed! A true antithesis to knowledge, in this case, is not pleasure, but power. All that is literature seeks to communicate power; all that is not literature, to communicate knowledge.”

Book Literature Pleasure Cases Communicate Propose Antithesis

Author:Thomas de Quincey

“Surely everyone is aware of the divine pleasures which attend a wintry fireside; candles at four o'clock, warm hearthrugs, tea, a fair tea-maker, shutters closed, curtains flowing in ample draperies to the floor, whilst the wind and rain are raging audibly without.”

Pleasure Four Divine Wind Rain Fairs Warm Rage Tea Clock Makers Warmth Candle Curtains Shutters Wind And Rain

Author:Thomas de Quincey

“Nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium: its pleasures even are of a grave and solemn complexion.”

Long Pleasure Deals Laughing Graves Solemn Opium Complexion

Book:Confessions of an English Opium-Eater and Other Writings

Source: Confessions of an English Opium-Eater and Other Writings

About the Author

Born: August 15, 1785
Died: December 8, 1859
Known for: Essayist
Quotes: 90

Related Topics

Men Humans Pleasure Thomas De Quincey Murder Children Literature Opium Art Book Clouds Doubt Dust Fate Firsts Grandeur Has Beens Ifs Intellect May

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Books & Sources

Confessions of an English Opium EaterRelated source material

Delphi Complete Works of Thomas De Quincey (Illustrated)Related source material

De Quincey's Writings: Essays on philosophical writers and other men of letters. 1854-60. [v. 14 stereotypedRelated source material

De Quincey's Writings: Miscellaneous essays. 1851Related source material

Confessions of an English Opium Eater: Being an Extract from the Life of a ScholarRelated source material

Confessions of an English Opium-Eater & Other WritingsRelated source material

Confessions of an English Opium-Eater: Being an Extract from the Life of a ScholarRelated source material

De Quincey's Writings: Theological essays and other papers. 1854Related source material

De Quincey's worksRelated source material

Leaders in literatureRelated source material

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