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William Shenstone Quotes

Poet

William Shenstone was an English poet, born on November 18, 1714, and died on February 11, 1763. His poetry is known for its fresh and natural style and its depiction of rural life.

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All Persons Men May Littles People Ifs Seems Should Honest Taste Deference Doe Mean Writing Bears Character Connected Dresses Fool Found

Famous William Shenstone Quotes

“To one who said, "I do not believe that there is an honest man in the world," another replied, "It is impossible that any one man should know all the world, but quite possible that one may know himself."”

Knows Men World Should Believe May Said Lying Impossible Honest Deceit One Man Dishonesty Honest Man

Author:William Shenstone

“It seems idle to rail at ambition merely because it is a boundless passion; or rather is not this circumstance an argument in its favor? If one would be employed or amused through life, should we not make choice of a passion that will keep one long in play?”

Ifs Should Long Play Seems Would Be Choices Passion Circumstances Ambition Argument Favors Idle Employed Boundless Rail Amused

Book:Essays on Men and Manners

Source: Essays on Men and Manners

“However, I think a plain space near the eye gives it a kind of liberty it loves; and then the picture, whether you choose the grand or beautiful, should be held up at its proper distance. Variety is the principal ingredient in beauty; and simplicity is essential to grandeur.”

Thinking Giving Should Kind Eye Beautiful Space Liberty Essentials Distance Simplicity Variety Ingredients You Choose Principal Grandeur

Book:The Select Works in Verse and Prose of William Shenstone ... The Third Edition

Source: The Select Works in Verse and Prose of William Shenstone ... The Third Edition

“It should seem that indolence itself would incline a person to be honest, as it requires infinitely greater pains and contrivance to be a knave.”

Should Persons Seems Pain Greater Honest Honesty Being Honest Indolence Incline Knaves

Book:Essays on Men and Manners

Source: Essays on Men and Manners

“There would not be any absolute necessity for reserve if the world were honest; yet even then it would prove expedient. For, in order to attain any degree of deference, it seems necessary that people should imagine you have more accomplishments than you discover.”

People Ifs World Should Seems Order Imagine Honest Prove Degrees Absolutes Accomplishment Reserves Deference

Book:Essays on Men and Manners

Source: Essays on Men and Manners

“When self-interest inclines a man to print, he should consider that the purchaser expects a pennyworth for his penny, and has reason to asperse his honesty if he finds himself deceived.”

Ifs Men Should Book Self Reason Interest Honesty Print Deceived Self Interest Pennies Incline Purchasers

Book:Essays on Men and Manners

Source: Essays on Men and Manners

“The most reserved of men, that will not exchange two syllables together in an English coffee-house, should they meet at Ispahan, would drink sherbet and eat a mess of rice together.”

Men Should Two Together House Drink Coffee Mess Sympathy Rice Reserved Syllables Coffee Houses Sherbet

Book:Essays on Men and Manners

Source: Essays on Men and Manners