Thackeray’s Quotations
If a secret history of books could be written, and the author's private thoughts and meanings noted down alongside of his story, how many insipid volumes would become interesting, and dull tales excite the reader!
Next to excellence, comes the appreciation of it.
To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it; to go through intrigue spotless; to forego even ambition when the end is gained -- who can say this is not greatness?
The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.
What money is better bestowed than that of a schoolboy's tip? How the kindness is recalled by the recipient in after days! It blesses him that gives and him that takes.
If a man character is to be abused there's nobody like a relative to do the business.
Come children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.
People who do not know how to laugh are always pompous and self-conceited.
Except for the young or very happy, I can't say I am sorry for anyone who dies.
Despair is perfectly compatible with a good dinner, I promise you.
When you look at me, when you think of me, I am in paradise.
It's not dying for faith that's so hard, it's living up to it.
'Tis not the dying for a faith that's so hard... 'Tis the living up to it that's difficult.
Those who forgets their friends to follow those of a higher status are truly snobs.
People hate as they love, unreasonably.
Good humour is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.
There is no good in living in a society where you are merely the equal of everybody else. The true pleasure of life is to live with your inferiors.
It is best to love wisely, no doubt: but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.
I would rather make my name than inherit it.
Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! -- what worthy man does not keep those in mind?
A good laugh is sunshine in the house.
'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.
It is to the middle-class we must look for the safety of
Whenever he met a great man he groveled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.
Let a man who has to make his fortune in life remember this maxim: Attacking is the only secret. Dare and the world yields, or if it beats you sometimes, dare it again and you will succeed.
Next to the young, I suppose the very old are the most selfish.
I never know whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses.
Do not be in a hurry to succeed. What would you have to live for afterwards? Better make the horizon your goal; it will always be ahead of you.
The two most engaging powers of a good author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.