As well as being one of the most significant textile designers in history, Morris was also a true wordsmith. He was best known throughout his life as a poet, so it’s no wonder he has some amazing quotes. Our favourite William Morris quotes? Read on to find out…

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all details of daily life.”- William Morris

We can’t help but think this is something to live by. Noticing the little things really does brighten up the days doesn’t it? We think he was on to something here!

“Love is enough: though the World be a-waning, and the woods have no voice but the voice of complaining.” – William Morris, Love is Enough (1872)

Pure poetry isn’t it? We love this. The “Love is Enough” quote was used heavily throughout the H&M X Morris & Co. collaboration. It’s a simple, nine line poem,  but it’s beautiful in this simplicity. The general meaning is surrounding the power of love in the face of darker times and experiences. That’s very relevant right now isn’t it!

“There is no square mile of earth’s inhabitable surface that is not beautiful in it’s own way, if we men will only abstain from wilfully destroying that beauty.” – William Morris

We always find this true, the fact he wrote it so many years ago is a little astounding that it remains relevant. He was presumably discussing Victorian industrialisation, and today we discuss issues on a much wider scale in terms of the modern day environmental issues. Whilst on the subject, if you do want to read about our environmental policy, you can do so here!

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris

Of course, we couldn’t write our favourite William Morris quotes without mentioning this. Perhaps his most famous, it’s actually amazing how many places you see this quote – we always get a little excited when we see it. Mugs, t shirts, interior design catalogues and so on, you’ll see it everywhere!

He wrote it in 1880, for ‘The Beauty of Life,‘ a lecture before the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design. Whilst we’re all a little partial to a junk draw or two (right?!) it is a great mantra for when buying something new – a little Marie Kondo ‘will it spark joy’ isn’t it.

There’s so many beautiful quotes we couldn’t fit them all in one blog, what’s your favourite? Do let us know, we’d love to hear!