Quotes by William Blake

You cannot have Liberty in this world without what you call Moral Virtue, and you cannot have Moral Virtue without the slavery of that half of the human race who hate what you call Moral Virtue.

The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.

Oh! why was I born with a different face? why was I not born like the rest of my race? when I look,each one starts! when I speak, I offend; then Im silent & passive & lose every friend. Then my verse I dishonour, my pictures despise, my person degrade & my temper chastise; and the pen is my terror, the pencil my shame; all my talents I bury, and dead is my fame. Im either too low or too highly prized; when elate I m envyd, when meek Im despisd

The stars are threshed, and the souls are threshed from their husks.

If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro narrow chinks of his cavern.

If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is: Infinite.

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way.

Vision is the end of religion.

The ancient tradition that the world will be consumed in fire at the end of six thousand years is true, as I have heard from Hell.For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at tree of life, and when he does, the whole creation will be consumed, and appear infinite, and holy whereas it now appears finite & corrupt.

I was walking among the fires of Hell, delighted with the enjoyments of Genius; which to Angels look like torment and insanity.

It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.

Imitation is criticism.

In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between them, there are doors.

Dip him in the river who loves water.

The roaring of lions, the howling of wolves, the raging of the stormy sea, and the destructive sword, are portions of eternity, too great for the eye of man.

What is Above is Within ... the Circumference is Winthin, Without is formed the Selfish Center, and the Circumference still expands going forward to Eternity.

Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.

It is right it should be so Man was made for joy and woe And when this we rightly know Through the world we safely go.

He who desires but acts not breeds pestilence.

I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not my wrath did grow.