Horace Walpole
Horace Walpole
Horatio Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford— also known as Horace Walpole — was an English art historian, man of letters, antiquarian and Whig politician...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionHistorian
Date of Birth24 September 1717
littles circumstances vulgar
How well Shakespeare knew how to improve and exalt little circumstances, when he borrowed them from circumstantial or vulgar historians.
school power boys
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.
political politics way
I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due.
confidence mistake
In science, mistakes always precede the truth
wise half done
Who has begun has half done. Have the courage to be wise. Begin!
summer august way
The way to ensure summer in England is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room.
firsts repent scarce
We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.
history victory bells
Our bells are worn threadbare with ringing for victories
distance heart voice
Letters to absence can a voice impart, And lend a tongue when distance gags the heart.
respect philosophy world
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.
laughing use half
How posterity will laugh at us, one way or other! If half a dozen break their necks, and balloonism is exploded, we shall be called fools for having imagined it could be brought to use: if it should be turned to account, we shall be ridiculed for having doubted.
anger passion giving
The passions seldom give good advice but to the interested and mercenary. Resentment generally suggests bad measures. Second thoughts and good nature will rarely, very rarely, approve the first hints of anger.
character passion tragedy
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.
giving curiosity lasts
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.