Lord Byron

Romantic poet

Modern influential 136 sayings

Sayings by Lord Byron

All tragedies are finished by a death, all comedies by a marriage.

1823 — From 'Don Juan', Canto XIV, Stanza 7
Controversial Unverifiable

I have a great contempt for the world, and I am not ashamed to own it.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his cynical outlook in letters.
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I am a very bad Christian, but I am a very good philosopher.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his religious skepticism.
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Love is a thing of very great interest, but it is not a thing of much importance.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his dismissive view of conventional romance.
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I have always been of opinion that the best way to make a man a good soldier is to make him a good citizen.

Early 19th century — From a letter or essay, reflecting his political views.
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The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

Early 19th century — Often attributed to Walter Bagehot, but captures Byron's rebellious spirit.
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I am a very proud man, and I have a great contempt for those who are not.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his aristocratic pride.
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The world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players.

Early 19th century — From Shakespeare's 'As You Like It', but a sentiment Byron often echoed.
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I have a great passion for horses, and I think they are much better than men.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his love for animals.
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The more I see of men, the more I love dogs.

Early 19th century — Often attributed to Madame de Sévigné, but a sentiment Byron might have expressed.
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I never was much of a believer in human perfectibility.

1816 — From a letter to Augusta Leigh
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A woman's reputation is like a mirror, which a single breath can tarnish.

1819 — From 'Don Juan', Canto I, Stanza 135
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I have been accused of being a misanthrope, but I am only a hater of hypocrisy.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his defense of his character.
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The great advantage of being a fool is that one is always content with oneself.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his cynical observations.
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I am a very passionate man, and I cannot live without passion.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his self-description.
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What is love? 'Tis not hereafter; present bliss is all we know.

1813 — From 'The Giaour'
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I have always been a friend of the oppressed, and an enemy of the oppressor.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his political beliefs and actions in Greece.
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The greatest minds are those who can be both serious and frivolous.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his intellectual observations.
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I would rather be a worm than a god, if I could only be a free worm.

Early 19th century — Attributed to his extreme love of liberty.
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I have a great admiration for the Turks, they are a brave and generous people.

Early 19th century — From his experiences in the Ottoman Empire and Greece.
Controversial Unverifiable