William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes

You must not judge hastily or vulgarly of Snobs: to do so shows that you are yourself a Snob.

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

Titles are abolished; and the American Republic swarms with men claiming and bearing them.

Those who are gone, you have. Those who departed loving you, love you still; and you love them always. They are not really gone, those dear hearts and true; they are only gone into the next room; and you will presently get up and follow them, and yonder door will close upon you, and you will be no more seen.

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

The unambitious sluggard pretends that the eminence is not worth attaining, declines altogether the struggle, and calls himself a philosopher. I say he is a poor-spirited coward.

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

Let us be very gentle with our neighbors’ failings, and forgive our friends their debts as we hope ourselves to be forgiven.

Let the man who has to make his fortune in life remember this maxim. Attacking is his only secret. Dare, and the world always yields: or, if it beat you sometimes, dare again, and it will succumb.

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

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

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