There is something dark and wintry about the atmosphere of the later Middle Ages. Lytton Strachey ageatmospheredark Change image and share on social
The old interests of aristocracy - the romance of action, the exalted passions of chivalry and war - faded into the background, and their place was taken by the refined and intimate pursuits of peace and civilization. Lytton Strachey actionaristocracybackground 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
The genius of the French language, descended from its single Latin stock, has triumphed most in the contrary direction - in simplicity, in unity, in clarity, and in restraint. Lytton Strachey claritycontrarydescend 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
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
The history of the Victorian Age will never be written: we know too much about it. Lytton Strachey agehistoryvictorian 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
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
