Richard Steele
Richard Steele
Sir Richard Steelewas an Irish writer and politician, remembered as co-founder, with his friend Joseph Addison, of the magazine The Tatler...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionDramatist
character weakness pleasure
Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted character.
men heaven may
The man is mechanically turned, and made for getting. . . . It was verily prettily said that we may learn the little value of fortune by the persons on whom Heaven is pleased to bestow it.
men order honor
The world will never be in any manner of order or tranquility until men are firmly convinced that conscience, honor and credit are all in one interest
passion love-is sorrow
Compassion does not only refine and civilize human nature, but has something in it more pleasing and agreeable, than what can be met with in such an indolent happiness, such an indifference to mankind, as that in which the stoics placed their wisdom. As love is the most delightful passion, pity is nothing else but love softened by a degree of sorrow: In short, it is a kind of pleasing anguish, anguish as well as generous sympathy, that knits mankind together, and blends them in the same common lot.
art people cunning
It has been a sort of maxim, that the greatest art is to conceal art; but I know not how, among some people we meet with, their greatest cunning is to appear cunning.
atheist atheism titles
I love to consider an Infidel, whether distinguished by the title of deist, atheist, or free-thinker.
world action admiration
How few there are who are furnished with abilities sufficient to recommend their actions to the admiration of the world, and distinguish themselves from the rest of mankind.
wise would-be psalms
Whoever would be wise should read the Proverbs; whoever would be holy should read the Psalms.
simplicity imitation hardest
Simplicity of all things is the hardest to be copy.
beauty modesty wit
Nothing can atone for the lack of modesty; without which beauty is ungraceful and wit detestable.
men add fool
Whenever you commend, add your reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from the flattery of sycophants and admiration of fools.
pain giving speech
It is a wonderful thing that so many, and they not reckoned absurd, shall entertain those with whom they converse by giving them the history of their pains and aches and imagine such narrations their quota of conversation.
looks morality look-up
I look upon it as a Point of Morality, to be obliged by those who endeavour to oblige me
writing mind
A woman seldom writes her mind but in her postscript