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I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.

Richard Steele

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Richard Steele
Age: 57 †
Born: 1672
Born: March 12
Died: 1729
Died: September 1
Journalist
Playwright
Politician
Writer
Dublin city
Sir Richard Steele
Speaking
Praise
Giving
Closing
Offensive
Exception
Manner

More quotes by Richard Steele

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The survivorship of a worthy man in his son is a pleasure scarce inferior to the hopes of the continuance of his own life.
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Though very troublesome to others, anger is most so to him that has it.
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Simplicity of all things is the hardest to be copy.
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Conversation never sits easier upon us than when we now and then discharge ourselves in a symphony of laughter, which may not improperly be called the chorus of conversation.
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The praise of an ignorant man is only good-will, and you should receive his kindness as he is a good neighbor in society, and not as a good judge of your actions in point of fame and reputation.
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Though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her is an immediate check to loose behaviour to love her was a liberal education.
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The world is grown so full of dissimulation and compliment, that men's words are hardly any signification of their thoughts.
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I look upon it as a Point of Morality, to be obliged by those who endeavour to oblige me
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It is to beoted that when any part of this paper appears dull there is a design in it.
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A fool is in himself the object of pity, until he is flattered.
Richard Steele
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Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction, compared to the tongue of a Gossip.
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Violins are the lively, forward, importunate wits, that distinguish themselves by the flourishes of imagination, sharpness of repartee, glances of satire, and bear away the upper part in every consort.
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Zeal for the public good is the characteristic of a man of honor and a gentleman, and must take the place of pleasures, profits and all other private gratifications.
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It may be remarked in general, that the laugh of men of wit is for the most part but a feint, constrained kind of half-laugh, as such persons are never without some diffidence about them but that of fools is the most honest, natural, open laugh in the world.
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It is the duty of a great person so to demean himself, as that whatever endowments he may have, he may appear to value himself upon no qualities but such as any man may arrive at.
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Vanity makes people ridiculous, pride odious, and ambition terrible.
Richard Steele
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Whenever you commend, add your reasons for doing so it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from the flattery of sycophants and admiration of fools.
Richard Steele
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The insupportable labor of doing nothing.
Richard Steele
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Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted character.
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No woman is capable of being beautiful who is not incapable of being false.
Richard Steele