8 William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes on Society

William Makepeace Thackeray quotes on society

21. Here was a man who could not spell, and did not care to read - who had the habits and the cunning of a boor: whose aim in life was pettifogging: who never had a taste, or emotion, or enjoyment, but was sordid and soil; and yet he had rank, and honors, and power, somehow: and was dignitary of the land, and a pillar of the state.

23. Some cynical Frenchman has said that there are two parties to a love-transaction: the one who loves and the other who condescends to be so treated.

24. Whenever he met a great man he grovelled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.

27. Everybody in Vanity Fair must have remarked how well those live who are comfortably and thoroughly in debt; how they deny themselves nothing; how jolly and easy they are in their minds.

34. Remember, it's as easy to marry a rich woman as a poor woman.

35. Of the Corporation of the Goosequill--of the Press, my boy,...of the fourth estate...There she is-the great engine-she never sleeps. She has her ambassadors in every quarter of the world-her couriers upon every road. Her officers march along with armies, andher envoys walk into statesmen's cabinets. They are ubiquitous.

39. 'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.

47. It is to the middle class we must look for the safety of England.