Quotes from Horace Walpole

How well Shakespeare knew how to improve and exalt little circumstances, when he borrowed them from circumstantial or vulgar historians.

The establishment of a society for the encouragement of arts will produce great benefits before they are perverted to mischiefs.

I look upon paradoxes as the impotent efforts of men who, not having capacity to draw attention and celebrity from good sense, fly to eccentricities to make themselves noted.

I have known men of valor cowards to their wives.

The contempt of money is no more a virtue than to wash one's hand is one; but one does not willingly shake hands with a man that never washes his.

Had I children, my utmost endeavors would be to make them musicians.

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.

We must cultivate our garden. Furia to God one day in seven allots; The other six to scandal she devotes. Satan, by false devotion never flammed, Bets six to one, that Furia will be damned.

The best philosophy is to do one's duties to take the world as it comes submit respectfully to one's lot and bless the goodness that has given us so much happiness with it whatever it is.

History is a romance that is believed; romance, a history that is not believed.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn't. A sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is.

It was easier to conquer it than to know what to do with it.

I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due.

He would be a very absurd legislator who should pretend to set bounds to his country's welfare, lest it should perish by knowing no bounds.

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.

This world is a comedy, not Life.

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.

It was said of old Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, that she never puts dots over her I s, to save ink.

Men are sent into the world with bills of credit, and seldom draw to their full extent.

The wisest prophets make sure of the event first.

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.

I never found even in my juvenile hours that it was necessary to go a thousand miles in search of themes for moralizing.

Life is a farce, and should not end with a mourning scene.

Without grace no book can live, and with it the poorest may have its life prolonged.