Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of the passions and their operations in diversified situations.

Quote by Horace Walpole

Topics: Horace Walpole Quotes

Virtue knows to a farthing what it has lost by not having been vice.

Virtue knows to a farthing what it has lost by not having been vice.

When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by...

When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by...

It was said of old Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, that she never puts dots over...

It was said of old Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, that she never puts dots over...

Poetry is a beautiful way of spoiling prose, and the laborious art of exchanging plain...

Poetry is a beautiful way of spoiling prose, and the laborious art of exchanging plain...

Men are often capable of greater things than they perform - They are sent into...

Men are often capable of greater things than they perform - They are sent into...

The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those who feel.

The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those who feel.

I avoid talking before the youth of the age as I would dancing before them:...

I avoid talking before the youth of the age as I would dancing before them:...

History is a romance that is believed; romance, a history that is not believed

History is a romance that is believed; romance, a history that is not believed

I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot...

I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot...

Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot...

Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot...

Nine-tenths of the people were created so you would want to be with the other...

Nine-tenths of the people were created so you would want to be with the other...

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.

Alexander at the head of the world never tasted the true pleasure that boys of...

Alexander at the head of the world never tasted the true pleasure that boys of...

To act with common sense according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know;...

To act with common sense according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know;...

To act with common sense according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know;...

To act with common sense according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know;...

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in...

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in...

I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot...

I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot...

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn't. A sense of...

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn't. A sense of...

A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.

A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.

Alcohol is the cause and the solution to many of life's problems.

Alcohol is the cause and the solution to many of life's problems.