152 Quotes by William Shenstone

Many persons, when exalted, assume an insolent humility, who behaved before with an insolent haughtiness.

His knowledge of books had in some degree diminished his knowledge of the world.

Long sentences in a short composition are like large rooms in a little house.

Second thoughts oftentimes are the very worst of all thoughts.

Let the gulled fool the toil of war pursue, where bleed the many to enrich the few.

Virtues, like essences, lose their fragrance when exposed. They are sensitive plants, which will not bear too familiar approaches.

My banks they are furnish'd with bees, Whose murmur invites one to sleep.

The works of a person that begin immediately to decay, while those of him who plants begin directly to improve. In this, planting promises a more lasting pleasure than building; which, were it to remain in equal perfection, would at best begin to moulder and want repairs in imagination. Now trees have a circumstance that suits our taste, and that is annual variety.

Love can be founded upon Nature only.