152 Quotes by William Shenstone

Reserve is no more essentially connected with understanding than a church organ with devotion, or wine with good-nature.

There are no persons more solicitous about the preservation of rank than those who have no rank at all. Observe the humors of a country christening, and you will find no court in Christendom so ceremonious as the quality of Brentford.

Men are sometimes accused of pride, merely because their accusers would be proud themselves were they in their places.

It is true there is nothing displays a genius, I mean a quickness of genius, more than a dispute; as two diamonds, encountering, contribute to each other's luster. But perhaps the odds is much against the man of taste in this particular.

A large retinue upon a small income, like a large cascade upon a small stream, tends to discover its tenuity.

Glory relaxes often and debilitates the mind; censure stimulates and contracts,--both to an extreme. Simple fame is, perhaps, the proper medium.

In a heavy oppressive atmosphere, when the spirits sink too low, the best cordial is to read over all the letters of one’s friends.

Some men use no other means to acquire respect than by insisting on it; and it sometimes answers their purpose, as it does a highwayman’s in regard to money.

Whoe’er excels in what we prize, appears a hero in our eyes.