Quotes from Richard Steele

It is to be noted that when any part of this paper appears dull there is a design in it.

It is a very melancholy reflection that men are usually so weak that it is absolutely necessary for them to know sorrow and pain to be in their right senses.

One common calamity makes men extremely affect each other, though they differ in every other particular

The world is grown so full of dissimulation and compliment, that men's words are hardly any signification of their thoughts.

You see, among men who are honored with the common appellation ogentleman, many contradictions to that character.

A man cannot have an idea of perfection in another, which he was never sensible of in himself.

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.

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

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.

The survivorship of a worthy man in his son is a pleasure scarce inferior to the hopes of the continuance of his own life.

The praise of an ignorant man is only good-will, and you should receive his kindness as he is a good neighbor in society, and not as a good judge of your actions in point of fame and reputation.

It is the duty of a great person so to demean himself, as that whatever endowments he may have, he may appear to value himself upon no qualities but such as any man may arrive at.

It is an impertinent and unreasonable fault in conversation for one man to take up all the discourse.

When a man is not disposed to hear music, there is not a more disagreeable sound in harmony than that of the violin.

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.

That man never grows old who keeps a child in his heart

People spend their lives in the service of their passions instead of employing their passions in the service of their lives.

Mutual good humor is a dress we ought to appear in wherever we meet, and we should make no mention of what concerns ourselves, without it be of matters wherein our friends ought to rejoice.

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.

There are so few who can grow old with a good grace.

The fool within himself is the object of pity, until he is flattered.

I have often lamented that we cannot close our ears with as much ease as we can our eyes.

It is to be noted that when any part of this paper appears dull there is a design in it.

A little in drink, but at all times yr faithful husband.