William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes

Bravery never goes out of fashion.

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.

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

Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.

I would rather make my name than inherit it.

The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish; it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected.

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

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.

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

Follow your honest convictions and be strong.

Life is soul's nursery- its training place for the destinies of eternity.

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.

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

Except for the young or very happy, I can't say I am sorry for anyone who dies.

A fool can no more see his own folly than he can see his ears.

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

Come children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.