James Russell Lowell Quotes

You have to be like a clock spring, wound but not loose at the same time.

Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength.

Patience is of two kinds: patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet.

a great man always knows better than to explain unless an explanation is demanded. To rush into explanations and excuses is always a sign of weakness.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.

We gain the strength of the temptation we resist.

It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and to prefer things in measure to things in excess.

Only actions give life strength; only moderation gives it charm.

A wise man sees as much as he ought, not as much as he can.

The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.

Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.

Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.

Perhaps too much of everything is as bad as too little.

I used to think you were weak and just didn't fight back ... but now, honestly, I think you're actually pretty tough. It takes a hell of a lot of strength to not complain and lash out.

Of course, I don't act in an extreme fashion in my day to day life. I don't think any of us live do. I think we all have that reserve somewhere and we pull upon it when we need it.

Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.

May I consider the wise man rich, and may I have such wealth as only the self-restrained man can bear or endure.

Men who can both be right and sit tight are uncommon.

True humility is not in the absence of confidence but strength restrained.

A fundamental mistake to call vehemence and rigidity strength! A man is not strong who takes convulsion-fits; though six men cannot hold him then. He that can walk under the heaviest weight without staggering, he is the strong man . . . A man who cannot hold his peace, till the time come for speaking and acting, is no right man.

If I've learned anything in my 30s, it's about holding back a little bit.

I've always been proud of the fact that I can hold it together and I rarely break. It's a point of pride for me.

A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.

Power is so characteristically calm, that calmness in itself has the aspect of strength.

Perfect reason flees all extremity, and leads one to be wise with sobriety.