Quotes By William Makepeace Thackeray

It is best to love wisely, no doubt; but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.

The book of female logic is blotted all over with tears, and Justice in their courts is forever in a passion.

People hate as they love, unreasonably.

I would rather make my name than inherit it.

'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.

It is only hope which is real, and reality is a bitterness and a deceit.

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.

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.

When you look at me, when you think of me, I am in paradise.

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!

Remember, it's as easy to marry a rich woman as a poor woman.

There are many sham diamonds in this life which pass for real, and vice versa.

The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.

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.

To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best.

A good laugh is sunshine in the house.

The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar, familiar things new.

People who do not know how to laugh are always pompous and self-conceited.

It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.

Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! what worthy man does not keep those in mind?

When I walk with you I feel as if I had a flower in my buttonhole.

It is to the middle-class we must look for the safety of England.

Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.

Next to the young, I suppose the very old are the most selfish.

An evil person is like a dirty window, they never let the light shine through.

Dinner was made for eating, not for talking.

A clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible.

Despair is perfectly compatible with a good dinner, I promise you.

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.