The quotations of

Washington Irving

American writer, historian and diplomat

1783–1859

16 quotes, most often on Comedy, Work and Writing.

Whenever a man’s friends begin to compliment him about looking young, he may be sure that they think he is growing old.
Often credited to Victor Hugo
- Age
There rise authors now and then, who seem proof against the mutability of language, because they have rooted themselves in the unchanging principles of human nature.
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820)
- Writing
There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in travelling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one’s position, and be bruised in a new place.
Tales of a Traveler (1824), Preface, p. 7
- Change
- Comedy
Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above it.
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820), “Philip of Pokanoket”
- Character
I am always at a loss to know how much to believe of my own stories.
Tales of a Traveler, To the Reader (1824)
- Truth & Lies
- Writing
Thus man passes away; his name perishes from record and recollection; his history is as a tale that is told, and his very monument becomes a ruin.
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820), “Westminster Abbey”
- Fame
- Life & Death
A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.
Rip Van Winkle (1819), The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820), “Rip Van Winkle”In context
- Age
- Talking
There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity, that never dreads contact and communion with others, however humble. It is only spurious pride that is morbid and sensitive, and shrinks from every touch.
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820), “The Country Church”
- Character
- Pride
I profess not to know how women’s hearts are wooed and won. To me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820)In context
- Love
- Women
A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820)In context
- Sleep
“Faith, sir,” replied the story-teller, “as to that matter, I don’t believe one half of it myself.”
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820)In context
- Comedy
- Truth & Lies
The great error in Rip’s composition was an insuperable aversion to all kinds of profitable labor.
Rip Van Winkle (1819)In context
- Work
Rip Van Winkle, however, was one of those happy mortals, of foolish, well-oiled dispositions, who take the world easy, eat white bread or brown, whichever can be got with least thought or trouble, and would rather starve on a penny than work for a pound.
Rip Van Winkle (1819)In context
- Money
- Work
In a word, Rip was ready to attend to anybody’s business but his own; but as to doing family duty, and keeping his farm in order, he found it impossible.
Rip Van Winkle (1819)In context
- Work
Rip, in fact, was no politician; the changes of states and empires made but little impression on him; but there was one species of despotism under which he had long groaned, and that was⁠—petticoat government.
Rip Van Winkle (1819)In context
- Comedy
- Marriage

Most quoted

People A to Z

C. S. Lewis1898–1963151 quotes

Mark Twain1835–1910151 quotes

Benjamin Franklin1706–179098 quotes

Martin Luther King Jr.1929–196884 quotes

Albert Einstein1879–195595 quotes

Dave Barryborn 1947100 quotes