Quotes by William Allingham

A man who keeps a diary pays, Due toll to many tedious days; But life becomes eventful - then, His busy hand forgets the pen. Most books, indeed, are records less Of fulness than of emptiness.

Autumn's the mellow time.

I always get back to the question, is it really necessary that men should consume so much of their bodily and mental energies in the machinery of civilized life? The world seems to me to do much of its toil for that which is not in any sense bread. Again, does not the latent feeling that much of their striving is to no purpose tend to infuse large quantities of sham into men's work?

I have been an Official all my life, without the least turn for it. I never could attain a true official manner, which is highly artificial and handles trifles with ludicrously disproportionate gravity.

If any foes of mine are there, I pardon every one: I hope that man and womankind will do the same by me.

Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt.

She danced a jig, she sung a song that took my heart away.

Writing is learning to say nothing, more cleverly each day.