William ShenstoneThinkers

Applause is of too coarse a nature to be swallowed in the gross, though the extract or tincture be ever so agreeable.

Avarice is the most opposite of all characters to that of God Almighty, whose alone it is to give and not receive.

Bashfulness is more frequently connected with good sense than we find assurance ; and impudence, on the other hand, is often the mere effect of downright stupidity.

Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments.

Distance is tied to beauty. Even offensive objects, at a proper distance, acquire a degree of beauty.

Hope is a flatterer, but the most upright of all parasites... for she frequents the poor man's hut, as well as the palace of his superior.

Humility is to genius is as an extinguisher to a candle.

Jealousy is the fear or apprehension of superiority while envy is our uneasiness under it.

Jealousy is the fear or apprehension of superiority.

The Miser is one who, as death approaches, is heaping up a chest of reasons to stand in more awe of him.

The Oak is the perfect image of the manly character.