Certain it is that scandal is good brisk talk, whereas praise of one's neighbor is by no means lively hearing. An acquaintance grilled, scored, devilled, and served with mustard and cayenne pepper excites the appetite; whereas a slice of cold friend with currant jelly is but a sickly, unrelishing meat.
William Makepeace ThackerayWe pass by common objects or persons without noticing them; but the keen eye detects and notes types everywhere and among all classes.
William Makepeace ThackerayFor his part, every beauty of art or nature made him thankful as well as happy, and that the pleasure to be had in listening to fine music, as in looking at the stars in the sky, or at a beautiful landscape or picture, was a benefit for which we might thank Heaven as sincerely as for any other worldly blessing.
William Makepeace ThackerayYou, who are ashamed of your poverty, and blush for your calling, are a snob; as are you who boast of your wealth.
William Makepeace Thackeray