William Shenstone Quotes - Page 5

Some men are called sagacious, merely on account of their avarice; whereas a child can clench its fist the moment it is born.

Avarice is the most oppose of all characters to that of God Almighty, whose alone it is to give and not receive.

In designing a house and gardens, it is happy when there is an opportunity of maintaining a subordination of parts; the house so luckily place as to exhibit a view of the whole design. I have sometimes thought that there was room for it to resemble a epic or dramatic poem.

Hope is a flatterer, but the most upright of all parasites; for she frequents the poor man's hut, as well as the palace of his superior.

Offensive objects, at a proper distance, acquire even a degree of beauty.

May I always have a heart superior, with economy suitable, to my fortune.

When self-interest inclines a man to print, he should consider that the purchaser expects a pennyworth for his penny, and has reason to asperse his honesty if he finds himself deceived.

It happens a little unluckily that the persons who have the most infinite contempt of money are the same that have the strongest appetite for the pleasures it procures.

There would not be any absolute necessity for reserve if the world were honest; yet even then it would prove expedient. For, in order to attain any degree of deference, it seems necessary that people should imagine you have more accomplishments than you discover.

Reserve is no more essentially connected with understanding than a church organ with devotion, or wine with good-nature.

Every good poet includes a critic, but the reverse is not true.

Every single instance of a friend's insincerity increases our dependence on the efficacy of money.

My banks they are furnish'd with bees, Whose murmur invites one to sleep.

The regard one shows economy, is like that we show an old aunt who is to leave us something at last.

Oft has good nature been the fool's defence, And honest meaning gilded want of sense.

A rich dress adds but little to the beauty of a person. It may possibly create a deference, but that is rather an enemy to love.