18 Quotes & Sayings By William Lyon Phelps

William Lyon Phelps (1880-1940) was an American poet and critic. He was also a contributor to the literary journal The Nation. He graduated from Harvard University in 1905 and became a professor of English at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he remained until his death.

1
Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. William Lyon Phelps
2
The amazing activity of the cat is delicately balanced by his capacity for relaxation. Every household should contain a cat, not only for decorative and domestic values, but because the cat in quiescence is medicinal to irritable, tense, tortured men and women. William Lyon Phelps
3
The fear of life is the favorite disease of the twentieth century. William Lyon Phelps
4
One appreciates that daily life is really good when one wakes from a horrible dream or when one takes the first outing after a sickness. Why not realize it now? William Lyon Phelps
5
That daily life is really good one appreciates when one wakes from a horrible dream or when one takes the first outing after a sickness. Why not realize it now? William Lyon Phelps
6
The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thoughts. William Lyon Phelps
7
Why is it that so many people are afraid to admit that they are happy? William Lyon Phelps
8
If happiness truly consisted in physical ease and freedom from care then the happiest individual... would be I think an American cow. William Lyon Phelps
9
This is the final test of a gentleman: his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him. William Lyon Phelps
10
Whenever it is possible a boy should choose some occupation which he should do even if he did not need the money. William Lyon Phelps
11
The belief that youth is the happiest time of life is founded upon a fallacy. The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thoughts and we grow happier as we grow older. William Lyon Phelps
12
The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him. William Lyon Phelps
13
A student never forgets an encouraging private word, when it is given with sincere respect and admiration. William Lyon Phelps
14
Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays, good company, good conversation - what are they? They are the happiest people in the world. William Lyon Phelps
15
If happiness truly consisted in physical ease and freedom from care, then the happiest individual would not be either a man or a woman; it would be, I think, an American cow. William Lyon Phelps
16
If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything. William Lyon Phelps
17
The fear of life is the favorite disease of the 20th century. William Lyon Phelps