"No man is truly great who is great only in his lifetime. The test of greatness is the page of history."

History

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Insight & Reflection

When William Hazlitt speaks about history, it invites us to pause and reflect on our own journey. How often do we consider the subtle impacts of history in our daily lives? This thought-provoking perspective challenges conventional wisdom and encourages a deeper understanding of ourselves.

About William Hazlitt

William Hazlitt was an English essayist, drama and literary critic, painter, social commentator, and philosopher. He is now considered one of the greatest critics and essayists in the history of the English language, placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell. He is also acknowledged as the finest art critic of his age. Despite his high standing among historians of literature and art, his work is currently little read and mostly out of print.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by William Hazlitt

"A hypocrite despises those whom he deceives, but has no respect for himself. He would make a dupe of himself too, if he could."

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More about History

"History does nothing it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men, real, living, who do all this."

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"The stoutest timber is forged in the fiercest gales, not in the sheltered grove. A lesson woven into the fabric of human history."

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"The river of time washes away kings and empires, leaving only virtue intact. A lesson woven into the fabric of human history — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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