William Makepeace Thackeray
English novelist, 1811-1863
11 quotes.
Quotes by William Makepeace Thackeray
- A good laugh is sunshine in a house.
- Benevolence and feeling ennoble the most trifling actions.
- Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.
- I would rather make my name than inherit it.
- If fun is good, truth is still better, and love most of all.
- Learn to admire rightly; the great pleasure of life is that. Note what the great men admired; they admired great things: narrow spirits admire basely, and worship meanly.
- Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.
- The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly kind companion.
- To be a gentleman is to be honest, to be gentle, to be generous, to be brave, to be wise, and possessing all those qualities to exercise them in the most graceful outward manner.
- 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; and to forgo even ambition when the end is gained — who can say this is not greatness?
- Whatever you are, be a good one.