Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit read more

Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit in pompous words express'd,
Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.

Clearness ornaments profound thoughts.
[Fr., La clarte orne les pensees profondes.]

Clearness ornaments profound thoughts.
[Fr., La clarte orne les pensees profondes.]

He is only fanastical that is not in fashion.

He is only fanastical that is not in fashion.

The novelties of one generation are only the resuscitated
fashions of the generation before last.

The novelties of one generation are only the resuscitated
fashions of the generation before last.

And, after all, it is style alone by which posterity will judge
of a great work, for an author read more

And, after all, it is style alone by which posterity will judge
of a great work, for an author can have nothing truly his own but
his style.

For style beyond the genius never dares.
[Fr., Che stilo oltra l'ingegno non si stende.]

For style beyond the genius never dares.
[Fr., Che stilo oltra l'ingegno non si stende.]

All the American women had purple noses and gray lips and their faces were chalk white from terrible powder. I read more

All the American women had purple noses and gray lips and their faces were chalk white from terrible powder. I recognized that the United States could be my life's work.

And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion
of this world passeth away.

And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion
of this world passeth away.

Style is the dress of thoughts.
- Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield,

Style is the dress of thoughts.
- Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield,