Who said “When we build, let us think that we build for ever.”?

Verified

John Ruskin. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849), Chapter VI: The Lamp of Memory, section 10

Find The Seven Lamps of Architecture on Amazon · paid link

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849), Chapter VI: The Lamp of Memory, section 10.

APA

Ruskin, J. (n.d.). When we build, let us think that we build for ever. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6988-when-we-build-let-us-think-that-we/

MLA

Ruskin, John. “When we build, let us think that we build for ever.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6988-when-we-build-let-us-think-that-we/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Ruskin, John. “When we build, let us think that we build for ever.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6988-when-we-build-let-us-think-that-we/.

Related quotes

More quotes by John Ruskin

“In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.”
VerifiedModern Painters (1843-1860), Volume IV, part V, chapter III, section 22 (1856) · evidenceDetails & citePride
“The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most.”
VerifiedThe Stones of Venice (1853), Volume II, chapter V, section 30 · evidenceDetails & citeColor
All 127 John Ruskin quotes →