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Aristocracy
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If, in looking at the lives of princes, courtiers, men of rank and fashion, we must perforce depict them as idle, profligate, and criminal, we must make allowances for the rich men's failings, and recollect that we, too, were very likely indolent and voluptuous, had we no motive for work, a mortal's natural taste for pleasure, and the daily temptation of a large income. What could a great peer, with a great castle and park, and a great fortune, do but be splendid and idle?
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Attitude
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The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Authors & Writing
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The two most engaging powers of a good author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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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
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Character
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If a man character is to be abused there's nobody like a relative to do the business.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Children
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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
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Class
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It is to the middle-class we must look for the safety of England.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Death
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Except for the young or very happy, I can't say I am sorry for anyone who dies.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Despair
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Despair is perfectly compatible with a good dinner, I promise you.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Enjoyment
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When you look at me, when you think of me, I am in paradise.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Equality
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There is no good in living in a society where you are merely the equal of everybody else. The true pleasure of life is to live with your inferiors.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Faith
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It's not dying for faith that's so hard, it's living up to it.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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'Tis not the dying for a faith that's so hard... 'Tis the living up to it that's difficult.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Friends
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Those who forgets their friends to follow those of a higher status are truly snobs.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Greatness & Great Things
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To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it -- who can say this is not greatness?
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Happiness
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Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Hate
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People hate as they love, unreasonably.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Hurt, Injury
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Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! -- what worthy man does not keep those in mind?
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Infatuation
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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
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Inheritance
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I would rather make my name than inherit it.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Laughter
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A good laugh is sunshine in the house.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Men & Women
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'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Mother
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Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Motivational
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Next to excellence, comes the appreciation of it.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Persuasion
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Whenever he met a great man he groveled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.
-William Makepeace Thackeray
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Books by and about William Makepeace Thackeray