William Makepeace Thackeray, (1811-1863), Indian-born British Novelist Quotes
Certain it is that scandal is good brisk talk, whereas praise of one's neighbor is by no means lively hearing. An acquaintance grilled, scored, devilled, and served with mustard and cayenne pepper excites the appetite; a slice of cold friend with currant jelly is but a sickly, unappetizing meat.
Mother is the name for God on the lips and in the hearts of little children.
Those who forget their friends to follow those of a higher status are truly snobs.
If a man's character is to be
abused, say what you will, there's
nobody like a relation
to do the business.
It is from the level of calamities... that we learn impressive and useful lessons.
We who have lived before railways were made belong to another world. It was only yesterday, but what a gulf between now and then! Then was the old world. Stage-coaches, more or less swift, riding-horses, pack-horses, highwaymen, knights in armor, Norman invaders, Roman legions, Druids, Ancient Britons painted blue, and so forth -- all these belong to the old period. But your railroad starts the new era, and we of a certain age belong to the new time and the old one. We who lived before railways, and survive out of the ancient world, are like Father Noah and his family out of the Ark.
Certain it is that scandal is good brisk talk, whereas praise of one's neighbor is by no means lively hearing. An acquaintance grilled, scored, devilled, and served with mustard and cayenne pepper excites the appetite; whereas a slice of cold friend with currant jelly is but a sickly, unrelishing meat.
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?
Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! -- what worthy man does not keep those in mind?
The world is a looking glass. It gives back to every
man a true reflection of his own thoughts.