Character Quote by William Hazlitt

“Vice is man's nature: virtue is a habit -- or a mask. . . . The foregoing maxim shows the difference between truth and sarcasm.”

William Hazlitt

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Character Differences Habit Habits Mask Maxims Men Nature Sarcasm Shows Truth Vices Virtue

More by William Hazlitt

First impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible professions or studied actions. A man's look is the work of years; it is stamped on his countenance by the events of his whole life, nay, more, by the hand of nature, and it is not…

William Hazlitt

The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much.

William Hazlitt

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We are thankful for good-will rather than for services, for the motive than the quantum of favor received.

William Hazlitt

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The discussing the characters and foibles of common friends is a great sweetness and cement of friendship.

William Hazlitt

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Want of principle is power. Truth and honesty set a limit to our efforts, which impudence and hypocrisy easily overleap.

William Hazlitt

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Repose is as necessary in conversation as in a picture.

William Hazlitt

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No act terminating in itself constitutes greatness.

William Hazlitt

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Vice is man's nature: virtue is a habit--or a mask.

William Hazlitt

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We never do anything well till we cease to think about the manner doing it.

William Hazlitt

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Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things…

William Hazlitt

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Those who have had none of the cares of this life to harass and disturb them, have been obliged to have recourse to the…

William Hazlitt

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Poverty, when it is voluntary, is never despicable, but takes an heroical aspect.

William Hazlitt

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Explore all 671 William Hazlitt quotes

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