Top 133 Quotes & Sayings by Richard Brinsley Sheridan - Page 2

We will not anticipate the past; so mind, young people,-our retrospection will be all to the future.

He is the very pineapple of politeness.

I hate to see prudence clinging to the green suckers of youth; 'tis like ivy round a sapling, and spoils the growth of the tree.

Sheer necessity,-the proper parent of an art so nearly allied to invention.

Believe that story false that ought not to be true.

A bumper of good liquor Will end a contest quicker Than justice, judge or vicar.

A practitioner in panegyric, or, to speak more plainly, a professor of the art of puffing.

They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.

The quarrel is a very pretty quarrel as it stands - we should only spoil it by trying to explain it.

Where they do agree on the stage, their unanimity is wonderful.

You shall see them on a beautiful quarto page where a neat rivulet of text shall meander through a meadow of margin.

It is not my interest to pay the principal, nor my principle to pay the interest.

A progeny of learning.

Fame, the sovereign deity of proud ambition.

Here is the whole set! a character dead at every word.

I'm called away by particular business - but I leave my character behind me

Humanity is composed but of two categories, the invalids and the nurses

A man may surely be allowed to take a glass of wine by his own fireside.

Here 's to the maiden of bashful fifteen; Here 's to the widow of fifty; Here 's to the flaunting, extravagant queen, And here 's to the housewife that 's thrifty! Let the toast pass; Drink to the lass; I 'll warrant she 'll prove an excuse for the glass.

The Right Honourable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts.

No scandal about Queen Elizabeth, I hope?

I loved him for himself alone.

As there are three of us come on purpose for the game, you won't be so cantankerous as to spoil the party by sitting out.

Easy writing's curst hard reading.

The throne we honour is the people's choice.

I would by no means wish a daughter of mine to be a progeny of learning.

There needs no small degree of address to gain the reputation of benevolence without incurring the expense.

I own the soft impeachment.

There 's nothing like being used to a thing.

An apothecary should never be out of spirits.

The silver ore of pure charity is an expensive article in the catalogue of a man's good qualities.

A man may think an untruth as well as speak one.

If I reprehend anything in this world, it is the use of my oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!

Though I never scruple a lie to serve my Master, it hurts one's conscience to be found out!

Give them a corrupt House of Lords, give them a venal House of Commons, give they a tyrannical Prince, give them a truckling court, and let me have but an unfettered press. I will defy them to encroach a hair's breadth upon the liberties of England.

The most threatened group in human societies as in animal societies is the unmated male: the unmated male is more likely to wind up in prison or in an asylum or dead than his mated counterpart. He is less likely to be promoted at work and he is considered a poor credit risk.

Here, my dear Lucy, hide these books. Quick, quick! Fling "Peregrine Pickle" under the toilette -throw "Roderick Random" into the closet -put "The Innocent Adultery" into "The Whole Duty of Man"; thrust "Lord Aimworth" under the sofa! cram "Ovid" behind the bolster; there -put "The Man of Feeling" into your pocket. Now for them.

Believe not each accusing tongue, As most weak persons do; But still believe that story wrong, Which ought not to be true!

An aspersion upon my parts of speech!

Our ancestors are very good kind of folks; but they are the last people I should choose to have a visiting acquaintance with.

An unforgiving eye, and a damned disinheriting countenance!

My valour is certainly going! - it is sneaking off! - I feel it oozing out as it were at the palms of my hands!

An oyster may be crossed in love.

If the thought is slow to come, a glass of good wine encourages it; and when it does come, a glass of good wine rewards it.

I'll make my old clothes know who's master. I shall straightaway cashier the hunting-frock, and render my leather breeches incapable. My hair has been in training some time.

Whena scandalousstory isbelieved againstone, thereis certainly no comfort like the conscience of having deserved it.

Humanity always becomes a conqueror.

If Parliament were to consider the sporting with reputation of as much importance as sporting on manors, and pass an act for the preservation of fame as well as game, there are many who would thank them for the bill.

Soft pity never leaves the gentle breast where love has been received a welcome guest.

When of a gossiping circle it was asked, "What are they doing?" The answer was, "Swapping lies.

I had rather follow you to your grave than see you owe your life to any but a regular-bred physician.

A readiness to resent injuries is a virtue only in those who are slow to injure.

Many a wretch has rid on a hurdle who has done less mischief than utterers of forged tales, coiners of scandal, and clippers of reputation.

Illiterate him, I say, quite from your memory.

Egad, I think the interpreter is the hardest to be understood of the two!

Nay, but Jack, such eyes! such eyes! so innocently wild! so bashfully irresolute! Not a glance but speaks and kindles some thought of love! Then, Jack, her cheeks! her cheeks, Jack! so deeply blushing at the insinuations of her tell-tale eyes! Then, Jack, her lips! O, Jack, lips smiling at their own discretion! and, if not smiling, more sweetly pouting - more lovely in sullenness! Then, Jack, her neck! O, Jack, Jack!

In all cases of slander currency, whenever the forger of the lie is not to be found, the injured parties should have a right to come on any of the indorsers.

Had I a heart for falsehood framed, I ne'er could injure you.

I was struck all on a heap.

A circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge.