Horace Walpole Quotes (37 Quotes)

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

How well Shakespeare knew how to improve and exalt little circumstances, when he borrowed them from circumstantial or vulgar historians.

Life is a comedy for those who think... and a tragedy for those who feel.

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

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

At last some curious traveller from Lima will visit England, and give a description of the ruins of St. Paul's, like the editions of Baalbec and Palmyra.

Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of the passions and their operations in diversified situations.

Serendipitous discoveries are made by chance, found without looking for them but possible only through a sharp vision and sagacity, ready to see the unexpected and never indulgent with the apparently unexplainable.

Old friends are the great blessings of one's later years. Half a word conveys one's meaning. They have a memory of the same events, have the same mode of thinking. I have young relations that may grow upon me, for my nature is affectionate, but can they grow To Be old friends

The whole Scotch nation hitherto has been void of wit and humour, and even incapable of relishing it.

The world is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel.

By deafness one gains in one respect more than one loses; one misses more nonsense than sense.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn't. A sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is.

A careless song, with a little nonsense in it now and then, does not misbecome a monarch.

Foolish writers and readers are created for each other.

To act with common sense according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know and the best philosophy is to do one's duties, take the world as it comes, submit respectfully to one's lot bless the goodness that has given us so much happiness with it,

Poetry is a beautiful way of spoiling prose, and the laborious art of exchanging plain sense for harmony.

I avoid talking before the youth of the age as I would dancing before them: for if one's tongue don't move in the steps of the day, and thinks to please by its old graces, it is only an object of ridicule.

I never found even in my juvenile hours that it was necessary to go a thousand miles in search of themes for moralizing.

Nine-tenths of the people were created so you would want to be with the other tenth.

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.

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.

The Methodists love your big sinners, as proper subjects to work upon.

Life is a tragedy for those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.

Justice is rather the activity of truth, than a virtue in itself. Truth tells us what is due to others, and justice renders that due. Injustice is acting a lie.

Virtue knows to a farthing what it has lost by not having been vice.

It was said of old Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, that she never puts dots over her I s, to save ink.

The wisest prophets make sure of the event first.

The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those who feel.

Our supreme governors, the mob.

Mystery is the wisdom of blockheads.

Alexander at the head of the world never tasted the true pleasure that boys of his own age have enjoyed at the head of a school.

History is a romance that is believed romance, a history that is not believed

Everybody talks of the constitution, but all sides forget that the constitution is extremely well, and would do very well, if they would let it alone.

I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due.

Every drop of ink in my pen ran cold.

I do not dislike the French from the vulgar antipathy between neighboring nations, but for their insolent and unfounded air of superiority