“Who might have bought a kingdom with a kiss, / Yea, half the world with such a sight as this.”

— William Morris, The Earthly Paradise, 1868–70, "The Lady of the Land"

About William Morris

1834 – 1896

English designer, poet and socialist, a leader of the Arts and Crafts movement.

“It is of the nature of man, when he is not diseased, to take pleasure in his work under certain conditions.”

“The greatest foe to art is luxury, art cannot live in its atmosphere.”

“I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”