Top 36 Quotes by James Stephens

About James Stephens

These are some quotes by Irish author James Stephens Poet, who lived between February 2, 1882 and December 26, 1950.

Man works outwardly and inwardly - after rest, he has energy; after energy, he needs repose; so, when we have given instruction for a time, we need instruction and must receive it, or the spirit faints and wisdom herself grows bitter.

James Stephens

In that wide struggle which we call Progress, evil is always the aggressor and the vanquished, and it is right that this should be so, for without its onslaughts and depredations humanity might fall to a fat slumber upon its cornsacks and die snoring.

James Stephens

Any fool can wash himself, but every wise man knows that it is an unnecessary labour, for nature will quickly reduce him to a natural and healthy dirtiness again.

Any fool can wash himself, but every wise man knows that it is an unnecessary labour, for nature will quickly reduce him to a natural and healthy dirtiness again.

James Stephens

To work is nothing; the king on his throne, the priest kneeling before the Holy Altar, all people in all places had to work, but no person at all need be a servant.

To work is nothing; the king on his throne, the priest kneeling before the Holy Altar, all people in all places had to work, but no person at all need be a servant.

James Stephens

We are washed both on coming into the world and on going out of it, and we take no pleasure from the first washing nor any profit from the last.

We are washed both on coming into the world and on going out of it, and we take no pleasure from the first washing nor any profit from the last.

James Stephens

Sleep is an excellent way of listening to an opera.

Sleep is an excellent way of listening to an opera.

James Stephens

To ask questions can become the laziest and wobbliest occupation of a mind, but when you must yourself answer the problem that you have posed, you will meditate your question with care and frame it with precision.

James Stephens

We get wise by asking questions, and even if these are not answered, we get wise, for a well-packed question carries its answer on its back as a snail carries its shell.

We get wise by asking questions, and even if these are not answered, we get wise, for a well-packed question carries its answer on its back as a snail carries its shell.

James Stephens

God did not need any assistance, but man did; bitterly he wanted it, and the giving of such assistance was the proper business of a woman.

God did not need any assistance, but man did; bitterly he wanted it, and the giving of such assistance was the proper business of a woman.

James Stephens

A man and a woman may become quite intimate in a quarter of an hour. Almost certainly will they endeavour to explain themselves to each other before many minutes have elapsed; but a man and a man will not do this, and even less so will a woman and a woman, for these are parallel lines which will never meet.

James Stephens

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