Thomas de Quincey Quotes

It is most absurdly said, in popular language, of any man, that he is disguised in liquor; for, on the contrary, most men are disguised by sobriety.

In many walks of life, a conscience is a more expensive encumbrance than a wife or a carriage.

Thou hast the keys of Paradise, oh, just, subtle, and mighty opium!

All parts of knowledge have their origin in metaphysics, and finally, perhaps, revolve into it.

A great scholar, in the highest sense of the term, is not one who depends simply on an infinite memory, but also on an infinite and electrical power of combination; bringing together from the four winds, like the Angel of the Resurrection, what else were dust from dead men's bones, into the unity of breathing life.

It is one of the misfortunes in life that one must read thousands of books only to discover that one need not have read them.

Reserve is the truest expression of respect towards those who are its objects.

Rightly it is said of utter, utter misery, that it 'cannot be remembered'; itself, being a rememberable thing, is swallowed up in its own chaos.