The Sayings of Thomas Carlyle

The Sayings of Thomas CarlyleDuring his lifetime Thomas Carlyle was regarded as a plain speaking, if somewhat irascible, prophet; a larger than life figure whose fame and influence rivalled even that of Lord Byrons. But if Carlyles reputation as a prophet and as an historian steadily declined in the years that followed his death, his bon mots remain as fresh, entertaining, and as scathing as ever. His sharp tongue (which was matched only by that of his wifes), was unleashed on

During his lifetime Thomas Carlyle was regarded as a plain-speaking, if somewhat irascible, prophet; a larger-than-life figure whose fame and influence rivalled even that of Lord ByronÕs. But if CarlyleÕs reputation as a prophet and as an historian steadily declined in the years that followed his death, his bon mots remain as fresh, entertaining, and as scathing as ever. His sharp tongue (which was matched only by that of his wifeÕs), was unleashed on anyone, friend or foe, who aroused his displeasure, and upset as many of his more mealy-mouthed Victorian contemporaries as his published work made him admirers.

The Sayings of Thomas Carlyle sees the ÔSage of ChelseaÕ in full flight, and his pungent reflections on politics, life, and those around him, show that while political and economic theories come and go, simple spleen can stand the test of time.

Selected and with an introduction by Brendan King