155 Quotes by Horace Walpole

Ponder, your comedies are woeful chaff: Write tragedies, when you would make us laugh.

The wisest prophets make sure of the event first.

King René of Anjou [(1409-80)]was a strange compound of amiable, great and trifling qualities. He was so excellent a sovereign as to acquire the surnom of the Good. He was brave in war, delighted in tournaments and wrote on them, instituted festivals and processions, partly religious and partly burlesque, was a fond husband, a romantic lover, a good painter for that age, and a true philosopher.

Men are often capable of greater things than they perform - They are sent into the world with bills of credit, and seldom draw to their full extent.

[King René of Anjou (1409-80)] would not listen to the news of his son having lost the Kingdom of Naples, because he would not bedisturbed when painting a picture of a partridge.

It was easier to conquer it than to know what to do with it.

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.

How much on outward show does all depend, If virtues from within no lustre lend! Strip off th'externals M and Y, the rest Proves Majesty itself is but a Jest.

Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot on the necks of monarchs.