William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes

When I walk with you I feel as if I had a flower in my buttonhole.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar, familiar things new.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

If a secret history of books could be written, and the author's private thoughts and meanings noted down alongside of his story, how many insipid volumes would become interesting, and dull tales excite the reader!

- William Makepeace Thackeray

It is best to love wisely, no doubt; but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

A clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

There are many sham diamonds in this life which pass for real, and vice versa.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

What money is better bestowed than that of a schoolboy's tip? How the kindness is recalled by the recipient in after days! It blesses him that gives and him that takes.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

A good laugh is sunshine in the house.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Follow your honest convictions and be strong.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

I would rather make my name than inherit it.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

I never knew whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

It is only hope which is real, and reality is a bitterness and a deceit.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

The book of female logic is blotted all over with tears, and Justice in their courts is forever in a passion.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Despair is perfectly compatible with a good dinner, I promise you.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

People who do not know how to laugh are always pompous and self-conceited.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Bravery never goes out of fashion.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Except for the young or very happy, I can't say I am sorry for anyone who dies.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Let a man who has to make his fortune in life remember this maxim: Attacking is the only secret. Dare and the world yields, or if it beats you sometimes, dare it again and you will succeed.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

An evil person is like a dirty window, they never let the light shine through.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Dinner was made for eating, not for talking.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Do not be in a hurry to succeed. What would you have to live for afterwards? Better make the horizon your goal; it will always be ahead of you.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

When you look at me, when you think of me, I am in paradise.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! what worthy man does not keep those in mind?

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Next to the young, I suppose the very old are the most selfish.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

It is to the middle-class we must look for the safety of England.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Remember, it's as easy to marry a rich woman as a poor woman.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

People hate as they love, unreasonably.

- William Makepeace Thackeray