“We exercise textual criticism whenever we notice and correct a misprint.” Reducing an intimidating scholarly discipline to a familiar act of correction · Lecture, The Application of Thought to Textual Criticism, 1921 Criticism Simplicity Writing
“People are too prone to torment themselves with devising far-fetched reasons.” Preferring straightforward explanations to elaborate intellectual justifications · Introductory Lecture, University College London, 1892 Reason Simplicity Wisdom
“It is purely a matter of reason and of common sense.” Rejecting unnecessary mystification in scholarly practice · Lecture, The Application of Thought to Textual Criticism, 1921 Criticism Reason Simplicity
