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Perhaps there is no greater test of a man's regularity and easiness of conscience than his readiness to face the postman. Blessed is he who is made happy by the sound of a rat-tat! The good are eager for it but the naughty tremble at the sound thereof.

William Makepeace Thackeray

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William Makepeace Thackeray
Age: 52 †
Born: 1811
Born: July 18
Died: 1863
Died: December 24
Novelist
Prosaist
Writer
Calcutta
William Makepeace Thackeray
George Fitz-Boodle
Greater
Eager
Face
Rats
Easiness
Faces
Test
Postman
Happy
Tests
Thereof
Sound
Letters
Regularity
Made
Blessed
Tremble
Good
Conscience
Naughty
Men
Perhaps
Readiness

More quotes by William Makepeace Thackeray

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To our betters eve can reconcile ourselves, if you please--respecting them sincerely, laughing at their jokes, making allowance for their stupidities, meekly suffering their insolence but we can't pardon our equals going beyond us.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Presently, we were aware of an odour gradually coming towards us, something musky, fiery, savoury, mysterious, - a hot drowsy smell, that lulls the senses, and yet enflames them, - the truffles were coming.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Let us be very gentle with our neighbors' failings, and forgive our friends their debts as we hope ourselves to be forgiven.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Next to eating good dinners, a healthy man with a benevolent turn of mind, must like, I think, to read about them.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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What, indeed, does not that word cheerfulness imply? It means a contented spirit, it means a pure heart, it means a kind and loving disposition it means humility and charity it means a generous appreciation of others, and a modest opinion of self.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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[As they say in the old legends]Before a man goes to the devil himself, he sends plenty of other souls thither.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Oh, brother wearers of motley, are there not moments when one grows sick of grinning and trembling and the jingling of cap and bells?
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Bravery never goes out of fashion.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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To see a young couple loving each other is no wonder but to see an old couple loving each other is the best sight of all.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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To forego even ambition when the end is gained - who can say this is not greatness?
William Makepeace Thackeray
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The thorn in the cushion of the editorial chair.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Humor is the mistress of tears.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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As an occupation in declining years, I declare I think saving is useful, amusing and not unbecoming. It must be a perpetual amusement. It is a game that can be played by day, by night, at home and abroad, and at which you must win in the long run. . . . What an interest it imparts to life!.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Kindness is very indigestible. It disagrees with very proud stomachs.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Pray, dear madam, another glass it is Christmas time, it will do you no harm.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Ah! Vanitas Vanitatum! Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied?-Come, children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Let us people who are so uncommonly clever and learned have a great tenderness and pity for the poor folks who are not endowed with the prodigious talents which we have.
William Makepeace Thackeray
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Come children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.
William Makepeace Thackeray