Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridanwas an Irish satirist; a playwright and poet, and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He is known for his plays such as The Rivals, The School for Scandal, The Duenna and A Trip to Scarborough. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig MP in the British House of Commons for Stafford, Westminsterand Ilchester. He is buried at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. His plays remain a central part of the canon, and...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPlaywright
Date of Birth30 October 1751
CountryIreland
A tale of scandal is as fatal to the credit of a prudent lady as a fever is generally to those of the strongest constitutions. But there is a sort of puny, sickly reputation, that is always ailing, yet will wither the robuster characters of a hundred prudes.
Believe that story false that ought not to be true.
Though I never scruple a lie to serve my Master, it hurts one's conscience to be found out!
I'll make my old clothes know who's master. I shall straightaway cashier the hunting-frock, and render my leather breeches incapable. My hair has been in training some time.
There needs no small degree of address to gain the reputation of benevolence without incurring the expense.
I hate to see prudence clinging to the green suckers of youth; 'tis like ivy round a sapling, and spoils the growth of the tree.
Wine does but draw forth a man's natural qualities.
There is no trusting appearances.
Easy writings curse is hard reading.
That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.
Steal! to be sure they may; and, egad, serve your best thoughts as gypsies do stolen children,-disfigure them to make 'em pass for their own.
Death's a debt; his mandamus binds all alike- no bail, no demurrer.
A life spent worthily should be measured by a nobler line,-by deeds, not years.
I loved him for himself alone.