Thomas Hughes

Author, Novelist

Thomas Hughes was a British author and social reformer, best known for his novel 'Tom Brown's School Days,' which highlights the importance of education and moral development.

Born
April 18, 1822
Died
March 22, 1896
Quotes
15
Rank
#1552

About Thomas Hughes

Thomas Hughes — Life and Legacy

Thomas Hughes was a prominent British author and social reformer, renowned for his influential novel 'Tom Brown's School Days,' published in 1857. This work not only offers a vivid portrayal of life at Rugby School but also serves as a critique of the educational system of his time, advocating for a more character-focused approach to education. Hughes's core philosophy revolved around the belief that education should cultivate moral integrity alongside academic knowledge. He famously stated, 'The best way to make a man is to make a boy,' underscoring his conviction that early experiences shape one's character and future. His writing reflects a deep understanding of the complexities of youth, friendship, and the formative power of schooling, challenging the rigid norms of Victorian education. Today, Hughes's insights remain relevant as they resonate with ongoing discussions about the role of education in personal development. His emphasis on character and moral responsibility continues to inspire educators and reformers, highlighting the enduring impact of his ideas on modern educational practices.

Quote collection

Thomas Hughes quotes

15 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God's best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one's self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"Christ's whole life on earth was the assertion and example of true manliness — the setting forth in living act and word what man is meant to be, and how he should carry himself in this world of God — one long campaign in which the temptation stands out as the first great battle and victory."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"Old timidity has disappeared, and is replaced by silent, quaint fun, with which his face twinkles all over, as he listens."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"Remember there's always a voice saying the right thing to you somewhere if you'll only listen for it."

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"I want to leave behind me the name of a fellow who never bullied a little boy, or turned his back on a big one."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"At that moment his soul is fuller of the tomb and him who lies there than of the altar and Him of whom it speaks. Such stages have to be gone through, I believe, by all young and brave souls, who must win their way through hero-worship to the worship of Him who is the King and Lord of heroes."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"He never wants anything but what's right and fair; only when you come to settle what's right and fair, it's everything that he wants and nothing that you want. And that's his idea of a compromise."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"We all have to learn, in one way or another, that neither men nor boys get second chances in this world. We all get new chances to the end of our lives, but not second chances in the same set of circumstances; and the great difference between one person and another is how he takes hold and uses his first chance, and how he takes his fall if it is scored against him."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"Gambling makes boys selfish and cruel as well as men."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"From behind the shadow of the still small voice — more awful than tempest or earthquake — more sure and persistent than day and night — is always sounding full of hope and strength to the weariest of us all, Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"Heaven, they say, protects children, sailors, and drunken men; and whatever answers to Heaven in the academical system protects freshmen."

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Thomas Hughes Author, Novelist
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"He who has conquered his own coward spirit has conquered the whole outward world."

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