The victors in great wars have always been spiritually defeated by the conquered. – George William Russell
We realise that natural aptitudes are not interchangeable, and each person must, of biological or spiritual necessity, practise the art for which he is fitted. – George William Russell
It is true the orator may make a myriad replica of his own passion out of those who listen to him. But that does not prove he is right or they are not fools. – George William Russell
By intensity of hatred, nations create in themselves the character that they imagine in their enemies. Hence it comes that all passionate conflicts result in an interchange of characteristics. We might say with truth, those who hate open a door by which their enemies enter and make their own the secret places of the heart. – George William Russell
We have control over the work of our hands, but little over the working of the soul. But yet we must yield to it, for without it we have nothing. – George William Russell
Nothing exasperates the spirit in man more than power which seems unconquerable and which makes impotent all protest. – George William Russell
The wind from the Kingdom of Heaven has blown all over the world, and shall blow for centuries yet. – George William Russell
Ah, to think how thin the veil that lies Between the pain of hell and Paradise. – George William Russell
Forgive me, Spirit of my spirit, for this, that I have found it easier to read the mystery told in tears and understood Thee better in sorrow than in joy. – George William Russell
The world can only be free when men are content in themselves and each draws from his own fountain. – George William Russell
I lay this down as a fundamental proposition, which I do not think will be denied, that whoever controls the taxation and trade policy of a country controls its destiny and the entire character of its civilization. – George William Russell
We may fight against what is wrong, but if we allow ourselves to hate, that is to insure our spiritual defeat and our likeness to what we hate. – George William Russell
After the spiritual powers, there is no thing in the world more unconquerable than the spirit of nationality. The spirit of nationality in Ireland will persist even though the mightiest of material powers be its neighbor. – George William Russell
Twilight, a timid, fawn, went glimmering by, and Night, the dark-blue hunter, followed fast. – George William Russell
We have the universe to roam in in imagination. It is our virtue to be infinitely varied. The worst tyranny is uniformity. – George William Russell
When steam first began to pump and wheels go round at so many revolutions per minute, what are called business habits were intended to make the life of man run in harmony with the steam engine, and his movement rival the train in punctuality. – George William Russell
Any relations in a social order will endure, if there is infused into them some of that spirit of human sympathy which qualifies life for immortality. – George William Russell
The relation of landlord and tenant is not an ideal one, but any relations in a social order will endure if there is infused into them some of that spirit of human sympathy which qualifies life for immortality. – George William Russell
We dwell in the house of the body, but its perfection and intricate life are the work of a wisdom which never relaxes dominion over a single cell. – George William Russell
Love and hate have a magical transforming power. They are the great soul changers. We grow through their exercise into the likeness of what we contemplate. – George William Russell
