Elizabeth Montagu
Elizabeth Montagu
Elizabeth Montaguwas a British social reformer, patron of the arts, salonist, literary critic, and writer who helped organize and lead the Blue Stockings Society...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth2 October 1718
wish talent admiration
I always wish to find great virtues where there are great talents, and to love what I admire ...
wise patient easy
I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended, and patient when there be no redress.
country men law
To judge therefore of Shakespeare by Aristotle's rule is like trying a man by the Laws of one Country who acted under those of another.
wise wisdom pain
I endeavor to drink deep of philosophy, and to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended, and patient where there is no redress. The mighty can do no more, and the wise seldom do as much. ... I am resolved to make the best of all circumstances around me, that this short life may not be half lost in pains ... Between the periods of birth and burial, I would fain insert a little happiness, a little pleasure, a little peace: to-day is ours, yesterday is past, and to-morrow may never come.
envy secret excellence
it is more to my personal happiness and advantage to indulge the love and admiration of excellence, than to cherish a secret envy of it.
powerful broken-spirit proud
The outrages of the powerful, the insolence of the rich, scorn of the proud, and malice of the uncharitable, all beating against the broken spirit of the unfortunate.
home people house
It is very unreasonable of people to expect one should be at home, because one is in the house. Of all privileges, that of invisibility is the most valuable.
stupid people dull
Among many reasons for being stupid it may be urged, it is being like other people, and living like one's neighbours, and indeed without it, it may be difficult to love some neighbours as oneself: now seeing the necessity of being dull, you won't, I hope, take it amiss that you find me so ...
crowns muse virtue
The muses crown virtue when fortune refuses to do it.
people miserable capable
Not to be miserable is all some people are capable of.
intelligent law stones
Will an intelligent spectator not admire the prodigeous structures of Stone-Henge because he does not know by what law of mechanics they were raised?
eye men long
Our collection of men is very antique, they stand in my list thus: A man of sense, a little rusty, a beau a good deal the worse for wearing, a coxcomb extremely shattered, a pretty gentleman very insipid, a baronet very solemn, a squire very fat, a fop much affected, a barrister learned in Coke upon Littleton, but who knows nothing of `long ways for marry as will', an heir apparent, very awkward; which of these will cast a favourable eye upon me I don't know.
adventure english-history people
Few people know anything of the English history but what they learn from Shakespear; for our story is rather a tissue of personal adventures and catastrophes than a series of political events.
beautiful air water
You will find many a creature by earth, air, and water, that is more beautiful than a woman.