The hand is the mind’s only perfect vassal; and when, through age or illness, the connection between them is interrupted, there are few more affecting tokens of human decay.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Let us recognize the beauty and power of true enthusiasm; and whatever we may do to enlighten ourselves or others, guard against checking or chilling a single earnest sentiment.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Enthusiasm
There is a strength of quiet endurance as significant of courage as the most daring feats of prowess.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
No man flatters the woman he truly loves.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Men, Flattery
Travel gives a character of experience to our knowledge, and brings the figures on the tablet of memory into strong relief.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Travel
The eye speaks with an eloquence and truthfulness surpassing speech.—It is the window out of which the winged thoughts often fly unwittingly.—It is the tiny magic mirror on whose crystal surface the moods of feeling fitfully play, like the sunlight and shadow on a quiet stream.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Eyes
It has been said that self-respect is the gate of heaven, and the most cursory observation shows that a degree of reserve adds vastly to the latent force of character.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Self-respect
A pilgrimage is an admirable remedy for over-fastidiousness and sickly refinement.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Travel
To analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music; it is one of those things which it is far better to enjoy, than to attempt fully to understand.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Flowers
To impress others we must be earnest; to amuse them, it is only necessary to be kindly and fanciful.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Credulity is perhaps a weakness, almost inseparable from eminently truthful characters.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Do not give to your friends the most agreeable counsels, but the most advantageous.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Advice
To a nice ear the quality of a voice is singularly affecting. Its depth seems to be allied to feeling; at least the contralto notes alone give an adequate sense of pathos. They are born near the heart.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
The soul, by an instinct stronger than reason, ever associates beauty with truth.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Beauty, Soul
Society is the offspring of leisure; and to acquire this forms the only rational motive for accumulating wealth, notwithstanding the cant that prevails on the subject of labor.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Society
Fashion seldom interferes with nature without diminishing her grace and efficiency.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Fashion
It is equally true of the pen as the pencil, that what is drawn from life and the heart alone bears the impress of immortality.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Style
Perhaps there are no warmer lovers of the muse than those who are only permitted occasionally to gain her favors. The shrine is more reverently approached by the pilgrim from afar than the familiar worshipper. Poetry is often most beloved by one whose daily vocation is armd the bustle of the world.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Poetry
Explain it as we may, a martial strain will urge a man into the front rank of battle sooner than an argument, and a fine anthem excite his devotion more certainly than a logical discourse.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Music
National enthusiasm is the great nursery of genius.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Enthusiasm, Patriotism
Nothing quickens the perceptions like genuine love. From the humblest professional attachment to the most chivalric devotion, what keenness of observation is born under the influence of that feeling which drives away the obscuring clouds of selfishness, as the sun consumes the vapor of the morning.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Love
Never less idle than when idle, was the motto which the admirable Vittoria Colonna wrought upon her husband’s dressing-gown. And may we not justly regard our appreciation of leisure as a test of improved character and growing resources?
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Leisure
To be a good traveller argues one no ordinary philosopher.—A sweet landscape must sometimes atone for an indifferent supper, and an interesting ruin charm away the remembrance of a hard bed.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Travel
There is a policy in manner. I have heard one, not inexperienced in the pursuit of fame, give it his earnest support, as being the surest passport to absolute and brilliant success.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Manners
The art of walking is at once suggestive of the dignity of man.—Progressive motion alone implies power, but in almost every other instance it seems a power gained at the expense of self-possession.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman
Topics: Walking
Leave a Reply