Sir Richard Steele Quotes

Irish writer, journalist, politician

Readings is to the mind what exercice is to the body. I love to consider an Infidel, whether distinguished by the title of deist, atheist, or free-thinker. A man cannot have an idea of perfection in another, which he was never sensible of in himself. Of all the affections which attend human life, the love of glory is the most ardent. Modesty never rages, never murmurs, never pouts; when it is ill-treated, it pines, it beseeches, it languishes. A modest person seldom fails to gain the goodwill of those he converses with, because nobody envies a man who does not appear to be pleased with himself. It may be remarked in general, that the laugh of men of wit is for the most part but a feint, constrained kind of half-laugh, as such persons are never without some diffidence about them; but that of fools is the most honest, natural, open laugh in the world. It has been a sort of maxim, that the greatest art is to conceal art; but I know not how, among some people we meet with, their greatest cunning is to appear cunning. Compassion does not only refine and civilize human nature, but has something in it more pleasing and agreeable, than what can be met with in such an indolent happiness, such an indifference to mankind, as that in which the stoics placed their wisdom. As love is the most delightful passion, pity is nothing else but love softened by a degree of sorrow: In short, it is a kind of pleasing anguish, anguish as well as generous sympathy, that knits mankind together, and blends them in the same common lot. How few there are who are furnished with abilities sufficient to recommend their actions to the admiration of the world, and distinguish themselves from the rest of mankind. The world will never be in any manner of order or tranquility until men are firmly convinced that conscience, honor and credit are all in one interest The man is mechanically turned, and made for getting. . . . It was verily prettily said that we may learn the little value of fortune by the persons on whom Heaven is pleased to bestow it. Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted character. It is a certain sign of an ill heart to be inclined to defamation. They who are harmless and innocent can have no gratification that way; but it ever arises from a neglect of what is laudable in a man's self. The survivorship of a worthy man in his son is a pleasure scarce inferior to the hopes of the continuance of his own life. Vanity makes people ridiculous, pride odious, and ambition terrible. I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception. Praise from an enemy is the most pleasing of all commendations. The insupportable labor of doing nothing. There is hardly that person to be found who is not more concerned for the reputation of wit and sense, than honesty and virtue. Such is the weakness of our nature, that when men are a little exalted in their condition they immediately conceive they have additional senses, and their capacities enlarged not only above other men, but above human comprehension itself. Since our persons are not of our own making, when they are such as appear defective or uncomely, it is, methinks, an honest and laudable fortitude to dare to be ugly. Pleasure seizes the whole man who addicts himself to it, and will not give him leisure for any good office in life which contradicts the gayety of the present hour. Pride destroys all symmetry and grace, and affectation is a more terrible enemy to fine faces than the small-pox. Age in a virtuous person, of either sex, carries in it an authority which makes it preferable to all the pleasures of youth. Violins are the lively, forward, importunate wits, that distinguish themselves by the flourishes of imagination, sharpness of repartee, glances of satire, and bear away the upper part in every consort. When a man is not disposed to hear music, there is not a more disagreeable sound in harmony than that of the violin. A lie is troublesome, and sets a man's invention upon the rack, and one trick needs a great many more to make it good. Conversation never sits easier upon us than when we now and then discharge ourselves in a symphony of laughter, which may not improperly be called the chorus of conversation. Since we cannot promise our selves constant health, let us endeavour at such temper as may be our best support in the decay of it.

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