Quote

It has been a sort of maxim, that the greatest art is to conceal art but I know not how, among some people we meet with, their greatest cunning is to appear cunning.

Richard Steele

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Richard Steele
Age: 57 †
Born: 1672
Born: March 12
Died: 1729
Died: September 1
Journalist
Playwright
Politician
Writer
Dublin city
Sir Richard Steele
Greatest
Sort
Maxim
Art
Conceal
People
Maxims
Cunning
Appear
Meet
Among

More quotes by Richard Steele

Image
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.
Richard Steele
Image
Pride destroys all symmetry and grace, and affectation is a more terrible enemy to fine faces than the small-pox.
Richard Steele
Image
He that has sense knows that learning is not knowledge, but rather the art of using it.
Richard Steele
Image
I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.
Richard Steele
Image
There can hardly, I believe, be imagined a more desirable pleasure than that of praise unmixed with any possibility of flattery.
Richard Steele
Image
The man is mechanically turned, and made for getting. . . . It was verily prettily said that we may learn the little value of fortune by the persons on whom Heaven is pleased to bestow it.
Richard Steele
Image
Since our persons are not of our own making, when they are such as appear defective or uncomely, it is, methinks, an honest and laudable fortitude to dare to be ugly.
Richard Steele
Image
I cannot think of any character below the flatterer, except he who envies him
Richard Steele
Image
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.
Richard Steele
Image
Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted character.
Richard Steele
Image
I look upon it as a Point of Morality, to be obliged by those who endeavour to oblige me
Richard Steele
Image
A fool is in himself the object of pity, until he is flattered.
Richard Steele
Image
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.
Richard Steele
Image
Age in a virtuous person, of either sex, carries in it an authority which makes it preferable to all the pleasures of youth.
Richard Steele
Image
It is a wonderful thing that so many, and they not reckoned absurd, shall entertain those with whom they converse by giving them the history of their pains and aches and imagine such narrations their quota of conversation.
Richard Steele
Image
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
Image
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.
Richard Steele
Image
Vanity makes people ridiculous, pride odious, and ambition terrible.
Richard Steele
Image
The world is grown so full of dissimulation and compliment, that men's words are hardly any signification of their thoughts.
Richard Steele
Image
A Woman is naturally more helpless than the other Sex and a Man of Honour and Sense should have this in his View in all Manner of Commerce with her.
Richard Steele