Ignorance is the first requisite of the historian - ignorance, which simplifies and clarifies, which selects and omits, with a placid perfection unattainable by the highest art. Lytton Strachey artclarifyhigh Change image and share on social
English dramatic literature is, of course, dominated by Shakespeare; and it is almost inevitable that an English reader should measure the value of other poetic drama by the standards which Shakespeare has already implanted in his mind. Lytton Strachey dominatedramadramatic share on social
There is something dark and wintry about the atmosphere of the later Middle Ages. Lytton Strachey ageatmospheredark Change image and share on social
When the French nation gradually came into existence among the ruins of the Roman civilization in Gaul, a new language was at the same time slowly evolved. Lytton Strachey civilizationevolveexistence Change image and share on social
Discretion is not the better part of biography. Lytton Strachey biographydiscretionpart Change image and share on social
In sheer genius Pascal ranks among the very greatest writers who have lived upon this earth. And his genius was not simply artistic; it displayed itself no less in his character and in the quality of his thought. Lytton Strachey artisticcharacterdisplay share on social
In the literature of France Moliere occupies the same kind of position as Cervantes in that of Spain, Dante in that of Italy, and Shakespeare in that of England. His glory is more than national - it is universal. Lytton Strachey cervantedanteengland share on social
During this earlier period of his activity Voltaire seems to have been trying - half unconsciously, perhaps - to discover and to express the fundamental quality of his genius. Lytton Strachey activitydiscoverearly Change image and share on social
With a very few exceptions, every word in the French vocabulary comes straight from the Latin. Lytton Strachey exceptionfrenchlatin Change image and share on social
Unlike the majority of the writers of his age, La Rochefoucauld was an aristocrat; and this fact gives a peculiar tone to his work. Lytton Strachey agearistocratfact Change image and share on social
