Thomas Carlyle

Books and Quotes Collection

On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History

1841

One Life; a little gleam of Time between two Eternities; no second chance to us forevermore! It were well for us to live not as fools and simulacra, but as wise and realities.

Past and Present

1843

When the poor man’s integuments, no longer nourished from within, become dead skin, mere adscititious leather and callosity, wearing thicker and thicker, uglier and uglier; […] — yes then, you may say, his usefulness once more is quite obstructed; […] it is time that he take to bed, and prepare for departure, which cannot now be distant!

History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great

1858

He is become a mere enchanted simulacrum of a Duke; bewitched under worse than Thessalian spells; without faculty of willing, except as she wills; his People and he the plaything of this Circe or Hecate, that has got hold of him.

It is one among their many greater advantages from this surprisal of the enemy, and sudden topsy-turvying of his plans.

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Books Collection

On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History

Past and Present

History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great