The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations

Every quotation a nineteenth-century speaker or writer might want, grouped under its subject, with the author, the date and the source given as exactly as Hoyt could manage.

This site is the complete 1896 book The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations, page by page as originally printed — period spelling, remedies and opinions included. About this edition →

Browse the Book

A

61 subjects

B

63 subjects

C

95 subjects

D

49 subjects

E

38 subjects

F

77 subjects

G

22 subjects

H

40 subjects

I

35 subjects

J

13 subjects

K

5 subjects

L

37 subjects

M

59 subjects

N

13 subjects

O

38 subjects

P

60 subjects

Q

7 subjects

R

56 subjects

S

89 subjects

T

48 subjects

U

10 subjects

V

18 subjects

W

36 subjects

X

13 subjects

Y

1 subject

Z

2 subjects

By Author

Shakespeare

Pope

Milton

S. Byron

Samuel Longfellow

Frederick Tennyson

By Author A–Z

All 1316 voices in the book

Highlights

Obscurity

Obscurity: It is not in the storm nor in the strife We feel benumb'd, and wish to be no more, But in the after-silence on the…

Evil

Evil: Evil events from evil causes spring.

Farewell

Farewell: He turn'd him right and round about Upon the Irish shore, And gae his bridle reins a shake, With Adieu for evermore, My…

Courtesy

Courtesy: A moral, sensible, and well-bred man Will not affront me, and no other can.

Matrimony

Matrimony: He that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either…

Occupations-Shoemaking

Occupations-Shoemaking: In sculpture did ever anybody call the Apollo a fancy piece? Or say of the Laocoön how it might be made…

991Subjects
1316Voices
1896Year
Take the quiz Search the book
Rights & ReuseThe complete text of The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896) is in the public domain in the United States — like all works published before 1928 — and is free to read, download, quote, teach from, and reuse. This digital edition (its transcription, restored images, and site design) is © 2026 PhotoOpAI, and any editorial commentary we add is clearly marked as ours; the underlying public-domain text carries no such restriction.