William M. Thackeray
William M. Thackeray
character man nobody relative
If a man character is to be abused there's nobody like a relative to do the business.
conquer gentlemen lose pray wins
Who misses, or who wins the prize?Go, lose and conquer as you can:But if you fail, or if you rise,Be each, pray God, a gentleman.
conquer lose pray wins
Who misses, or who wins the prize? Go, lose and conquer as you can: But if you fail, or if you rise, Be each, pray God, a gentleman.
ambition courage endure gained greater heart hostile intrigue lost tire
To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it; to go through intrigue spotless; to forego even ambition when the end is gained - who can say this is not greatness?
box played shut
Come, children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.
absolute beasts entirely exercise fair knees marry mercy overcome positive powers resist thankful whom woman women
And oh, what a mercy it is that these women do not exercise their powers oftener! We can't resist them, if they do. Let them show ever so little inclination, and men go down on their knees at once: old or ugly, it is all the same. And this I set down as a positive truth. A woman with fair opportunities, and without an absolute hump, may marry whom she likes. Only let us be thankful that the darlings are like the beasts of the field, and don't know their own power. They would overcome us entirely if they did.