They look quite promising in the shop; and not entirely without hope when I get them back into my wardrobe. read more

They look quite promising in the shop; and not entirely without hope when I get them back into my wardrobe. But then, when I put them on they tend to deteriorate with a very strange rapidity and one feels so sorry for them.

When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, read more

When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck.

Even knowledge has to be in the fashion, and where it is not, it is wise to affect ignorance. - read more

Even knowledge has to be in the fashion, and where it is not, it is wise to affect ignorance. - The Art of Worldy Wisdom, 1647.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like
unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, read more

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like
unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward,
but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just, if your style is homely, coarse, and read more

Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just, if your style is homely, coarse, and vulgar, they will appear to as much disadvantage, and be as ill received, as your person, though ever so well-proportioned, would if dressed in rags, dirt, and tatters.

Great individuals are not only popular themselves, but they give popularity to whatever they touch.

Great individuals are not only popular themselves, but they give popularity to whatever they touch.

Everything is not gold that one sees shining.
[Fr., Que tout n'est pas or c'on voit luire.]

Everything is not gold that one sees shining.
[Fr., Que tout n'est pas or c'on voit luire.]

Gloomy as night he stands.

Gloomy as night he stands.

Handsome is that handsome does.

Handsome is that handsome does.