Quotes by John Ruskin

We require from buildings two kinds of goodness: first, the doing their practical duty well: then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it.

It seems a fantastic paradox, but it is nevertheless a most important truth, that no architecture can be truly noble which is not imperfect.

No architecture is so haughty as that which is simple.

You might sooner get lightning out of incense smoke than true action or passion out of your modern English religion.

To see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion all in one.

There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

Skill is the unified force of experience, intellect and passion in their operation.

Art is not a study of positive reality, it is the seeking for ideal truth.

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

I believe the first test of a truly great man is in his humility.

Every great person is always being helped by everybody for their gift is to get good out of all things and all persons.

The first test of a truly great man is his humility. By humility I dont mean doubt of his powers or hesitation in speaking his opinion, but merely an understanding of the relationship of what he can say and what he can do.

Beauty deprived of its proper foils and adjuncts ceases to be enjoyed as beauty, just as light deprived of all shadows ceases to be enjoyed as light.

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.

The first condition of education is being able to put someone to wholesome and meaningful work.

Modern education has devoted itself to the teaching of impudence, and then we complain that we can no longer control our mobs.

Education is the leading of human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them.

In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.

The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world... to see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion all in one.

He that would be angry and sin not, must not be angry with anything but sin.