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Deference often shrinks and withers as much upon the approach of intimacy as the sensitive plant does upon the touch of one's finger.

William Shenstone

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William Shenstone
Age: 48 †
Born: 1714
Born: November 18
Died: 1763
Died: February 11
Gardener
Horticulturist
Poet
Writer
Plant
Touch
Withers
Approach
Deference
Upon
Shrinks
Often
Finger
Doe
Intimacy
Much
Sensitive
Fingers

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Fools are very often united in the strictest intimacies, as the lighter kinds of woods are the most closely glued together.
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The best time to frame an answer to the letters of a friend, is the moment you receive them. Then the warmth of friendship, and the intelligence received, most forcibly cooperate.
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To one who said, I do not believe that there is an honest man in the world, another replied, It is impossible that any one man should know all the world, but quite possible that one may know himself.
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It seems idle to rail at ambition merely because it is a boundless passion or rather is not this circumstance an argument in its favor? If one would be employed or amused through life, should we not make choice of a passion that will keep one long in play?
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Taste is pursued at a less expense than fashion.
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Necessity may be the mother of lucrative invention, but it is the death of poetical invention.
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Let us be careful to distinguish modesty, which is ever amiable, from reserve, which is only prudent.
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Laws are generally found to be nets of such a texture, as the little creep through, the great break through, and the middle-sized are alone entangled in it.
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Bashfulness is more frequently connected with good sense than we find assurance and impudence, on the other hand, is often the mere effect of downright stupidity.
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Persons who discover a flatterer, do not always disapprove him, because he imagines them considerable enough to deserve his applications.
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Immoderate assurance is perfect licentiousness.
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A court of heraldry sprung up to supply the place of crusade exploits, to grant imaginary shields and trophies to families that never wore real armor, and it is but of late that it has been discovered to have no real jurisdiction.
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Poetry and consumption are the most flattering of diseases.
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To thee, fair Freedom! I retire From flattery, cards, and dice, and din: Nor art thou found in mansions higher Than the low cot, or humble inn.
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Offensive objects, at a proper distance, acquire even a degree of beauty.
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Love can be founded upon Nature only.
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It should seem that indolence itself would incline a person to be honest, as it requires infinitely greater pains and contrivance to be a knave.
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The weak and insipid white wine makes at length excellent vinegar.
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Health is beauty, and the most perfect health is the most perfect beauty.
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Modesty makes large amends for the pain it gives those who labor under it, by the prejudice it affords every worthy person in their favor.
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