William M. Thackeray
William M. Thackeray
coming man pity senses whether
I never know whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses.
books-and-reading certain expansive incident intention swelling tide year
Certain opuscules, denominated 'Christmas Books,' with the ostensible intention of swelling the tide of exhilaration, or other expansive emotions, incident upon the exodus of the old and the inauguration of the new year
economy good great management money paying people ready scarcely sparing
By economy and good management -- by a sparing use of ready money and by paying scarcely anybody, -- people can manage to make a great show with very little means.
ears hath stuff
He that hath ears to hear, let him stuff them with cotton.
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.
box played shut
Come, children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.