It is possible that the contemplation of cruelty will not make us humane but cruel; that the reiteration of the badness of our spiritual condition will make us consent to it. Lionel Trilling badnessconditionconsent Change image and share on social
Being a Jew is like walking in the wind or swimming: you are touched at all points and conscious everywhere. Lionel Trilling consciousjewpoint Change image and share on social
What marks the artist is his power to shape the material of pain we all have. Lionel Trilling artistmarkmaterial Change image and share on social
Probably it is impossible for humor to be ever a revolutionary weapon. Candide can do little more than generate irony. Lionel Trilling candidegeneratehumor Change image and share on social
The function of literature, through all its mutations, has been to make us aware of the particularity of selves, and the high authority of the self in its quarrel with its society and its culture. Literature is in that sense subversive. Lionel Trilling authorityawareculture share on social
Where misunderstanding serves others as an advantage, one is helpless to make oneself understood. Lionel Trilling advantagehelplessmake Change image and share on social
It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief. Lionel Trilling artdisbelieflife Change image and share on social
The poet is in command of his fantasy, while it is exactly the mark of the neurotic that he is possessed by his fantasy. Lionel Trilling commandfantasymark Change image and share on social
This is the great vice of academicism, that it is concerned with ideas rather than with thinking. Lionel Trilling academicismconcerngreat Change image and share on social
There is no connection between the political ideas of our educated class and the deep places of the imagination. Lionel Trilling classconnectiondeep Change image and share on social
