I sit with my toes in a brook, And if any one axes forwhy? I hits them a rap with my crook,… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
The contempt of money is no more a virtue than to wash one's hand is one; but one does not willingly shake… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
I am persuaded that foolish writers and foolish readers are created for each other; and that fortune provides readers as she does… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
Cunning is neither the consequence of sense, nor does it give sense. A proof that it is not sense, is that cunning… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
How much on outward show does all depend, If virtues from within no lustre lend! Strip off th'externals M and Y, the… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
A careless song, with a little nonsense in it now and then, does not mis-become a monarch. — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
The curse of modern times is, that almost everything does create controversy. — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
René of Anjou [(1409-80)] painted a picture of his mistress's corpse as he found it eaten by worms on having it [her tomb] openedon… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
A poet who makes use of a worse word instead of a better, because the former fits the rhyme or the measure, though it… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
I do not dislike the French from the vulgar antipathy between neighboring nations, but for their insolent and unfounded air of superiority. — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
Lord Bath used to say of women, who are apt to say that they will follow their own judgment, that they could not follow… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
An ancient prophecy ... pronounced, That the castle and lordship of Otranto should pass from the present family, whenever the real owner should be… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
“But alas! my Lord, what is blood! what is nobility! We are all reptiles, miserable, sinful creatures. It is piety alone that can distinguish… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due. — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image
Alexander at the head of the world never tasted the true pleasure that boys of his own age have enjoyed at the head of… — Horace Walpole Copy Share Image