I suppose as long as novels last, and authors aim at interesting their public, there must always be in the story a virtuous and gallant hero; a wicked monster, his opposite; and a pretty girl, who finds a champion. Bravery and virtue conquer beauty; and vice, after seeming to triumph through a certain number of pages, is sure to be discomfited in the last volume, when justice overtakes him, and honest folks come by their own.
William Makepeace ThackerayThere is no man that can teach us to be gentlemen better than Joseph Addison.
William Makepeace ThackerayAs if the ray which travels from the sun would reach me sooner than the man who blacks my boots.
William Makepeace ThackerayPray, dear madam, another glass; it is Christmas time, it will do you no harm.
William Makepeace ThackerayA clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible.
William Makepeace ThackerayA man is seldom more manly than when he is what you call unmanned,--the source of his emotion is championship, pity, and courage; the instinctive desire to cherish those who are innocent and unhappy, and defend those who are tender and weak.
William Makepeace ThackerayThis Bouillabaisse a noble dish is - A sort of soup or broth, or brew, Or hotchpotch of all sorts of fishes, That Greenwich never could outdo; Green herbs, red peppers, mussels, saffron, Soles, onions, garlic, roach, and dace; All these you eat at Terre's tavern, In that one dish of Bouillabaisse.
William Makepeace Thackeray