William Blake
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"William Blake" was an English painter, poet and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of the poetry and visual arts of the Romanticism/Romantic Age. His prophetic poetry has been said to form "what is in proportion to its merits the least read body of poetry in the English language". His visual artistry led one contemporary art critic to proclaim him "far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced". In 2002, Blake was placed at number 38 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. Although he lived in London his entire life (except for three years spent in Felpham), he produced a diverse and symbolically rich oeuvre, which embraced the imagination as "the body of God" or "human existence itself".

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I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man's.

To generalize is to be an idiot.

If a thing loves, it is infinite.

He who desires, but acts not, breeds pestilence.

Energy is eternal delight.

Those who control their passions do so because their passions are weak enough to be controlled.

No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.

When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite.

The eye altering, alters all.

The man who never in his mind and thoughts travel'd to heaven is no artist.

Always be ready to speak your mind and a base man will avoid you.

Innocence dwells with Wisdom, but never with Ignorance.

Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.

The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.

He who binds to himself a joy, does the winged life destroy: But he who kisses the joy as it flies, lives in eternity's sun rise.

When thou seest an eagle, thou seest a portion of genius; lift up thy head!

The difference between a bad artist and a good one is: The bad artist seems to copy a great deal; the good one really does.

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

A truth that's told with bad intent, Beats all the lies you can invent.

I myself do nothing. The Holy Spirit accomplishes all through me.

Thy friendship oft has made my heart to ache; do be my enemy - for friendship's sake.

He who binds himself to joy Doth the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in Eternity's sunrise.

Thou art a Man, God is no more. Thy own humanity learn to adore.

To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.

I have always found that angels have the vanity to speak of themselves as the only wise.

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

To see a world in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour.

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

Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell's despair.

If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite.