Richard Steele

“And I pray mark how he begins: he sets not up trophies to himself, but triumphs in his God-- "I will love…

— Richard Steele

Pride destroys all symmetry and grace, and affectation is a more terrible enemy to fine faces than the small-pox.

— Richard Steele

People spend their lives in the service of their passions instead of employing their passions in the service of their lives.

— Richard Steele

A fool is in himself the object of pity, until he is flattered.

— Richard Steele

The world is grown so full of dissimulation and compliment, that men's words are hardly any signification of their thoughts.

— Richard Steele

It is a certain sign of an ill heart to be inclined to defamation. They who are harmless and innocent can have…

— Richard Steele

I was going home two hours ago, but was met by Mr. Griffith, who has kept me ever since. . . .…

— Richard Steele

I love to consider an Infidel, whether distinguished by the title of deist, atheist, or free-thinker.

— Richard Steele

Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted character.

— Richard Steele

It is an impertinent and unreasonable fault in conversation for one man to take up all the discourse.

— Richard Steele

It is a secret known but to few, yet of no small use in the conduct of life, that when you fall…

— Richard Steele

Simplicity of all things is the hardest to be copy.

— Richard Steele

Whether a pretty woman grants or withholds her favors, she always likes to be asked for them.

— Richard Steele

Since our persons are not of our own making, when they are such as appear defective or uncomely, it is, methinks, an…

— Richard Steele

Vanity makes people ridiculous, pride odious, and ambition terrible.

— Richard Steele

Praise from an enemy is the most pleasing of all commendations.

— Richard Steele

Will. Honeycomb calls these over-offended ladies the outrageously virtuous.

— Richard Steele

Conversation never sits easier upon us than when we now and then discharge ourselves in a symphony of laughter, which may not…

— Richard Steele

The world will never be in any manner of order or tranquility until men are firmly convinced that conscience, honor and credit…

— Richard Steele

It is to beoted that when any part of this paper appears dull there is a design in it.

— Richard Steele

The survivorship of a worthy man in his son is a pleasure scarce inferior to the hopes of the continuance of his…

— Richard Steele

That man never grows old who keeps a child in his heart.

— Richard Steele

Whenever you commend, add your reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from…

— Richard Steele

It is the duty of a great person so to demean himself, as that whatever endowments he may have, he may appear…

— Richard Steele

A modest person seldom fails to gain the goodwill of those he converses with, because nobody envies a man who does not…

— Richard Steele