Richard Steele

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

— Richard Steele

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

— Richard Steele

There are so few who can grow old with a good grace.

— Richard Steele

The insupportable labor of doing nothing.

— Richard Steele

The fool within himself is the object of pity, until he is flattered.

— Richard Steele

A woman seldom writes her mind but in her postscript.

— Richard Steele

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

— Richard Steele

Simplicity of all things is the hardest to be copy.

— Richard Steele

Pleasure, when it is a man's chief purpose, disappoints itself; and the constant application to it palls the faculty of enjoying it.

— Richard Steele

Modesty never rages, never murmurs, never pouts; when it is ill-treated, it pines, it beseeches, it languishes.

— Richard Steele

Of all the affections which attend human life, the love of glory is the most ardent.

— 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 favor well bestowed is almost as great an honor to him who confers it as to him who receives it.

— Richard Steele

Whoever would be wise should read the Proverbs; whoever would be holy should read the Psalms.

— Richard Steele

I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.

— Richard Steele

It is an endless and frivolous Pursuit to act by any other Rule than the Care of satisfying our own Minds in…

— 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

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

— Richard Steele

Nothing is more silly than the pleasure some people take in "speaking their minds." A man of this make will say a…

— Richard Steele

It is a wonderful thing that so many, and they not reckoned absurd, shall entertain those with whom they converse by giving…

— Richard Steele

How few there are who are furnished with abilities sufficient to recommend their actions to the admiration of the world, and distinguish…

— Richard Steele

A man advanced in years that thinks fit to look back on his former life, and calls that only life which was…

— Richard Steele

It has been a sort of maxim, that the greatest art is to conceal art; but I know not how, among some…

— 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

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

— Richard Steele

I love to consider an Infidel, whether distinguished by the title of deist, atheist, or free-thinker, by three different lights, in his…

— Richard Steele

Compassion does not only refine and civilize human nature, but has something in it more pleasing and agreeable, than what can be…

— Richard Steele

It has often been a solid Grief to me, when I have reflected on this glorious Nation, which is the Scene of…

— Richard Steele

A little in drink, but at all times your faithful husband.

— Richard Steele

Readings is to the mind what exercice is to the body.

— Richard Steele

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

— Richard Steele

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

— Richard Steele

Though very troublesome to others, anger is most so to him that has it.

— Richard Steele

There is no Pleasure like that of receiving Praise from the Praiseworthy.

— Richard Steele

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

— Richard Steele

I cannot think of any character below the flatterer, except he who envies him.

— Richard Steele

No woman is capable of being beautiful who is not incapable of being false.

— Richard Steele

Since we cannot promise our selves constant health, let us endeavour at such temper as may be our best support in the…

— 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

There is hardly that person to be found who is not more concerned for the reputation of wit and sense, than honesty…

— Richard Steele