Home / Quotes / Quote by Matthew Arnold

Quote by Matthew Arnold

“For poetry the idea is everything; the rest is a world of illusion.”

Quote by Matthew Arnold

Book:Poetry and Criticism of Matthew Arnold

Work

Poetry and Criticism of Matthew Arnold

The book features a selection of Arnold's poems, along with his critical essays that explore various aspects of poetry and its role in society. It offers insights into Arnold's perspective on the nature of poetry and its importance in the cultural and intellectual life of his time. more

Author

Matthew Arnold was an English poet, born on December 24, 1822, and died on April 15, 1888. His poetry is known for its profound philosophy and admiration for nature. more

You May Also Like

“I knew the mass of men conceal'd Their thoughts, for fear that if reveal'd They would by other men be met With blank indifference.”

Ifs Men Mets Mass Indifference Blank

Book:Dover Beach and Other Poems

Source: Dover Beach and Other Poems

“That which in England we call the middle class is in America virtually the nation.”

America Nations Class Middle England Middle Class

Author:Matthew Arnold

“What actions are the most excellent? Those, certainly, which most powerfully appeal to the great primary human affections: to those elementary feelings which subsist permanently in the race, and which are independent of time. These feelings are permanent and the same; that which interests them is permanent and the same also.”

Humans Feelings Action Interest Race Independent Affection Primaries Appeals Excellent Permanent Most Powerful

Book:On the Classical Tradition

Source: On the Classical Tradition

“Physician of the Iron Age, Goethe has done his pilgrimage. He took the suffering human race, He read each wound, each weakness clear -- And struck his finger on the place, And said -- Thou ailest here, and here.”

Humans Said Done Age Suffering Race Clear Weakness Fingers Wounds Human Race Iron Physicians Pilgrimage

Book:Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold (Illustrated)

“And long we try in vain to speak and act Our hidden self, and what we say and do Is eloquent, is well -- but 'tis not true!”

Trying Wells Long Self Speak Vain Eloquent

Book:Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold (Illustrated)

“Ah! two desires toss about The poet's feverish blood; One drives him to the world without, And one to solitude.”

World Two Desire Blood Poet Solitude Toss

Author:Matthew Arnold

“Eutrapelia . "A happy and gracious flexibility," Pericles calls this quality of the Athenians...lucidity of thought, clearness and propriety of language, freedom from prejudice and freedom from stiffness, openness of mind, amiability of manners.”

Mind Language Quality Prejudice Manners Openness Flexibility Gracious Propriety Lucidity Clearness Athenians Stiffness

Author:Matthew Arnold

“English civilization the humanizing, the bringing into one harmonious and truly humane life, of the whole body of English society that is what interests me.”

Whole Body Interest Civilization Humane Harmonious English Society

Book:Matthew Arnold on education

Source: Matthew Arnold on education

“Goethe in Weimar sleeps, and Greece, Long since, saw Byron 's struggle cease.”

Long Sleep Struggle Saws Cease Greece Byron

Book:Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold (Illustrated)

“It is not human to be without shame and without desire.”

Humans Desire Shame

Book:The Left Hand of Darkness

Source: The Left Hand of Darkness