110+ William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes On Education, Slavery And Religion

William Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist of the 19th century. He is best known for his novel Vanity Fair, which satirizes 19th-century British society. He wrote many other novels, short stories, and essays, and was a well-known figure in London literary circles during his lifetime. Following is our collection on famous quotes by William Makepeace Thackeray on love, education, slavery.

Top 10 William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes

1. The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.
2. What woman, however old, has not the bridal-favours and raiment stowed away, and packed in lavender, in the inmost cupboards of her heart?
3. When you look at me, when you think of me, I am in paradise.
4. Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.
5. A good laugh is sunshine in the house.
6. To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best.
7. Remember, it's as easy to marry a rich woman as a poor woman.
8. Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.
9. There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.
10. Do not be in a hurry to succeed. What would you have to live for afterwards? Better make the horizon your goal; it will always be ahead of you.

William Makepeace Thackeray Image Quotes

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children. — William Makepeace Thackeray

A good laugh is sunshine in the house. — William Makepeace Thackeray

To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Remember, it's as easy to marry a rich woman as a poor woman. — William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray Short Quotes

• Life is a mirror: if you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile, it returns the greeting.
• Dinner was made for eating, not for talking.
• Malice is of the boomerang character, and is apt to turn upon the projector.
• It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.
• People who do not know how to laugh are always pompous and self-conceited.
• I never know whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses.
• Bravery never goes out of fashion.
• That which we call a snob by any other name would still be snobbish.
• Bad husbands will make bad wives.
• An immense percentage of snobs, I believe, is to be found in every rank of this mortal life.

William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes About Love

Those we love can but walk down to the pier with us - the voyage we must make alone. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Sure, love vincit omnia; is immeasurably above all ambition, more precious than wealth, more noble than name. He knows not life who knows not that: he hath not felt the highest faculty of the soul who hath not enjoyed it. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Every man ought to be in love a few times in his life, and to have a smart attack of the fever. You are better for it when it is over: the better for your misfortune, if you endure it with a manly heart; how much the better for success, if you win it and a good wife into the bargain! — William Makepeace Thackeray

It is best to love wisely, no doubt: but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all. — William Makepeace Thackeray

It is best to love wisely, no doubt; but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all. — William Makepeace Thackeray

If fathers are sometimes sulky at the appearance of the destined son-in-law, is it not a fact that mothers become sentimental and, as it were, love their own loves over again. — William Makepeace Thackeray

To see a young couple loving each other is no wonder; but to see an old couple loving each other is the best sight of all. — William Makepeace Thackeray

People hate as they love, unreasonably. — William Makepeace Thackeray

If there is no love more in yonder heart, it is but a corpse unburied. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Some cynical Frenchman has said that there are two parties to a love-transaction: the one who loves and the other who condescends to be so treated. — William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes About God

One of the greatest of a great man's qualities is success; 't is the result of all the others; 't is a latent power in him which compels the favor of the gods, and subjugates fortune. — William Makepeace Thackeray

We are most of us very lonely in this world; you who have any who love you, cling to them and thank God. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Pray God, keep us simple. — William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes About World

Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied? — William Makepeace Thackeray

The world is good natured to people who are good natured. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Ah! Vanitas Vanitatum! Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied?-Come, children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly kind companion; and so let all young persons take their choice. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The moral world has no particular objection to vice, but an insuperable repugnance to hearing vice called by its proper name. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Dare and the world always yields; or if it beats you sometimes, dare it again and it will succumb. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Who has not remarked the readiness with which the closest of friends and honestest of men suspect and accuse each other of cheating when they fall out on money matters? Everybody does it. Everybody is right, I suppose, and the world is a rogue. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Always to be right, always to trample forward, and never to doubt, are not these the great qualities with which dullness takes the lead in the world? — William Makepeace Thackeray

If a man has committed wrong in life, I don't know any moralist more anxious to point his errors out to the world than his own relations. — William Makepeace Thackeray

She lived in her past life — every letter seemed to recall some circumstance of it. How well she remembered them all! His looks and tones, his dress, what he said and how — these relics and remembrances of dead affection were all that were left her in the world. — William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes About Living

It was in the reign of George II. that the above-named personages lived and quarrelled ; good or bad, handsome or ugly, rich or poor, they are all equal now — William Makepeace Thackeray

Out of the fictitious book I get the expression of the life, of the times, of the manners, of the merriment, of the dress, the pleasure, the laughter, the ridicules of society. The old times live again. Can the heaviest historian do more for me? — William Makepeace Thackeray

It's not dying for faith that's so hard, it's living up to it. — William Makepeace Thackeray

'Tis not the dying for a faith that's so hard... 'Tis the living up to it that's difficult. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Everybody in Vanity Fair must have remarked how well those live who are comfortably and thoroughly in debt; how they deny themselves nothing; how jolly and easy they are in their minds. — William Makepeace Thackeray

There is no good in living in a society where you are merely the equal of everybody else. The true pleasure of life is to live with your inferiors. — William Makepeace Thackeray

At certain periods of life, we live years of emotion in a few weeks, and look back on those times as on great gaps between the old life and the new. — William Makepeace Thackeray

I set it down as a maxim, that it is good for a man to live where he can meet his betters, intellectual and social. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The true pleasure of life is to live with your inferiors. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Our great thoughts, our great affections, the truths of our life, never leave us. Surely they can not separate from our consciousness, shall follow it whithersoever that shall go, and are of their nature divine and immortal. — William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes About Children

Come children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The death of a child occasions a passion of grief and frantic tears, such as your end, brother reader, will never inspire. — William Makepeace Thackeray

What money is better bestowed than that of a schoolboy's tip? How the kindness is recalled by the recipient in after days! It blesses him that gives and him that takes. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Who feels injustice, who shrinks before a slight, who has a sense of wrong so acute, and so glowing a gratitude for kindness, as a generous boy? — William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray Famous Quotes And Sayings

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children. — William Makepeace Thackeray

A good laugh is sunshine in the house. — William Makepeace Thackeray

To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Remember, it's as easy to marry a rich woman as a poor woman. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Which of us that is thirty years old has not had its Pompeii? Deep under ashes lies the life of youth--the careless sport, the pleasure and the passion, the darling joy. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish; it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Presently, we were aware of an odour gradually coming towards us, something musky, fiery, savoury, mysterious, - a hot drowsy smell, that lulls the senses, and yet enflames them, - the truffles were coming. — William Makepeace Thackeray

A clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Next to excellence, comes the appreciation of it. — William Makepeace Thackeray

He who meanly admires a mean thing is a snob--perhaps that is a safe definition of the character. — William Makepeace Thackeray

You can't order remembrance out of the mind; and a wrong that was a wrong yesterday must be a wrong to-morrow. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Those who forgets their friends to follow those of a higher status are truly snobs. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Women are jealous of cigars... they regard them as a strong rival. — William Makepeace Thackeray

I would rather make my name than inherit it. — William Makepeace Thackeray

A snob is that man or woman who is always pretending to be something better--especially richer or more fashionable--than he is. — William Makepeace Thackeray

There are many sham diamonds in this life which pass for real, and vice versa. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Though small was your allowance, You saved a little store: And those who save a little, Shall get a plenty more. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Never lose a chance of saying a kind word. As Collingwood never saw a vacant place in his estate but he took an acorn out of his pocket and planted it, so deal with your compliments through life. An acorn costs nothing, but it may spread into a prodigious timber. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Successful people aren't born that way. They become successful by establishing the habit of doing things unsuccessful people don't like to do. The successful people don't always like these things themselves; they just get on and do them. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar, familiar things new. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Life is soul's nursery- its training place for the destinies of eternity. — William Makepeace Thackeray

To forego even ambition when the end is gained - who can say this is not greatness? — William Makepeace Thackeray

An evil person is like a dirty window, they never let the light shine through. — William Makepeace Thackeray

It is a friendly heart that has plenty of friends. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The two most engaging powers of a good author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new. — William Makepeace Thackeray

A fool can no more see his own folly than he can see his ears. — William Makepeace Thackeray

At that comfortable tavern on Pontchartrain we had a bouillabaisse than which a better was never eaten at Marseilles; and not the least headache in the morning, I give you my word; on the contrary, you only wake with a sweet refreshing thirst for claret and water. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Except for the young or very happy, I can't say I am sorry for anyone who dies. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Vanity is often the unseen spur. — William Makepeace Thackeray

I want a sofa, as I want a friend, upon which I can repose familiarly. If you can't have intimate terms and freedom with one and the other, they are of no good. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Oh, Vanity of vanities! How wayward the decrees of Fate are; How very weak the very wise, How very small the very great are! — William Makepeace Thackeray

What is wanted for the nonce is, that folks should be as agreeable as possible in conversation and demeanor; so that good humor may be said to be one of the very best articles of dress one can wear in societ. — William Makepeace Thackeray

As nature made every man with a nose and eyes of his own, she gave him a character of his own, too; and yet we, O foolish race! must try our very best to ape some one or two of our neighbors, whose ideas fit us no more than their breeches! — William Makepeace Thackeray

Follow your honest convictions and be strong. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Under the magnetism of friendship the modest man becomes bold; the shy, confident; the lazy, active; and the impetuous, prudent and peaceful. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Young ladies may have been crossed in love, and have had their sufferings, their frantic moments of grief and tears, their wakeful nights, and so forth; but it is only in very sentimental novels that people occupy themselves perpetually with that passion, and I believe what are called broken hearts are a very rare article indeed. — William Makepeace Thackeray

This Bouillabaisse a noble dish is - A sort of soup or broth, or brew, Or hotchpotch of all sorts of fishes, That Greenwich never could outdo; Green herbs, red peppers, mussels, saffron, Soles, onions, garlic, roach, and dace; All these you eat at Terre's tavern, In that one dish of Bouillabaisse. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Novelty has charms that our minds can hardly withstand. — William Makepeace Thackeray

To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it -- who can say this is not greatness? — William Makepeace Thackeray

When I walk with you I feel as if I had a flower in my buttonhole. — William Makepeace Thackeray

It is to the middle-class we must look for the safety of England. — William Makepeace Thackeray

'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Despair is perfectly compatible with a good dinner, I promise you. — William Makepeace Thackeray

You, who are ashamed of your poverty, and blush for your calling, are a snob; as are you who boast of your wealth. — William Makepeace Thackeray

All amusements to which virtuous women are not admitted, are, rely upon it, deleterious in their nature. — William Makepeace Thackeray

To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted my no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it; to go through intrigue spotless; to forgo even ambition when the end is gained - who can say this is not greatness? — William Makepeace Thackeray

Why do they always put mud into coffee on board steamers? Why does the tea generally taste of boiled boots? — William Makepeace Thackeray

Who was the blundering idiot who said 'fine words butter no parsnips'? Half the parsnips of society are served and rendered palatable with no other sauce. — William Makepeace Thackeray

I have long gone about with a conviction on my mind that I had a work to do-a Work, if you like, with a great W; a Purpose to fulfil; ... a Great Social Evil to Discover and to Remedy. — William Makepeace Thackeray

I wonder is it because men are cowards in heart that they admire bravery so much, and place military valor so far beyond every other quality for reward and worship. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Benevolence and feeling ennoble the most trifling actions. — William Makepeace Thackeray

I believe that remorse is the least active of all a man's moral senses. — William Makepeace Thackeray

A man is seldom more manly than when he is what you call unmanned,--the source of his emotion is championship, pity, and courage; the instinctive desire to cherish those who are innocent and unhappy, and defend those who are tender and weak. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Titles are abolished; and the American Republic swarms with men claiming and bearing them. — William Makepeace Thackeray

It is only hope which is real, and reality is a bitterness and a deceit. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The best of women are hypocrites. — William Makepeace Thackeray

We pass by common objects or persons without noticing them; but the keen eye detects and notes types everywhere and among all classes. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Learn to admire rightly; the great pleasure of life is that. Note what the great men admired; they admired great things; narrow spirits admire basely, and worship meanly. — William Makepeace Thackeray

It's a great comfort to some people to groan over their imaginary ills. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The book of female logic is blotted all over with tears, and Justice in their courts is forever in a passion. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Certain corpuscles, denominated Christmas Books, with the ostensible intention of swelling the tide of exhilaration, or other expansive emotions, incident upon the exodus of the old and the inauguration of the New Year. — William Makepeace Thackeray

It is comparatively easy to leave a mistress, but very hard to be left by one. — William Makepeace Thackeray

A pair of bright eyes with a dozen glances suffice to subdue a man; to enslave him, and enflame him; to make him even forget; they dazzle him so that the past becomes straightway dim to him; and he so prizes them that he would give all his life to possess 'em. — William Makepeace Thackeray

What stories are new? All types of all characters march through all fables. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Charming Alnaschar visions! it is the happy privilege of youth to construct you. — William Makepeace Thackeray

So, with their usual sense of justice, ladies argue that because a woman is handsome, therefore she is a fool. O ladies, ladies! there are some of you who are neither handsome nor wise. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Taste is something quite different from fashion, superior to fashion. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Ah! gracious Heaven gives us eyes to see our own wrong, however dim age may make them; and knees not too stiff to kneel, in spite of years, cramp, and rheumatism. — William Makepeace Thackeray

The great moments of life are but moments like the others. Your doom is spoken in a word or two. A single look from the eyes; a mere pressure of the hand, may decide it; or of the lip,s though they cannot speak. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Oh, those women! They nurse and cuddle their presentiments, and make darlings of their ugliest thoughts. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! -- what worthy man does not keep those in mind? — William Makepeace Thackeray

As an occupation in declining years, I declare I think saving is useful, amusing and not unbecoming. It must be a perpetual amusement. It is a game that can be played by day, by night, at home and abroad, and at which you must win in the long run. . . . What an interest it imparts to life!. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Certain it is that scandal is good brisk talk, whereas praise of one's neighbor is by no means lively hearing. An acquaintance grilled, scored, devilled, and served with mustard and cayenne pepper excites the appetite; whereas a slice of cold friend with currant jelly is but a sickly, unrelishing meat. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Werther had a love for Charlotte Such as words could never utter; Would you know how first he met her? She was cutting bread and butter. — William Makepeace Thackeray

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society. — William Makepeace Thackeray

If you take temptations into account, who is to say that he is better than his neighbor? — William Makepeace Thackeray

Life Lessons by William Makepeace Thackeray

1. William Makepeace Thackeray emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and living a life of integrity. He also encourages readers to be kind and compassionate to others, and to accept the imperfections of life. Finally, Thackeray encourages readers to be mindful of the consequences of their actions, and to strive for balance and moderation in all aspects of life.