William Makepeace Thackeray: Man

William Makepeace Thackeray was novelist. Explore interesting quotes on man.
William Makepeace Thackeray: 138   quotes 20   likes

“There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen to write.”

William Makepeace Thackeray book The History of Henry Esmond

Bk. II, ch. 1.
The History of Henry Esmond (1852)
Source: The History of Henry Esmond, Esq.

Lying

“The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.”

William Makepeace Thackeray Vanity Fair

Vol. I, ch. 2.
Vanity Fair (1847–1848)
Context: 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.

World

“If a man's character is to be abused, say what you will, there's nobody like a relation to do the business.”

William Makepeace Thackeray Vanity Fair

Vol. I, ch. 19.
Source: Vanity Fair (1847–1848)

Business

“Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.”

William Makepeace Thackeray book The History of Henry Esmond

Bk. I, ch. 7.
The History of Henry Esmond (1852)

Angels , Thinking

“Yes, I am a fatal man, Madame Fribsbi. To inspire hopeless passion is my destiny.”

William Makepeace Thackeray

Source: The History of Pendennis (1848-1850), Ch. 23.

Passion

“Tis not the dying for a faith that's so hard, Master Harry — every man of every nation has done that — 'tis the living up to it that is difficult, as I know to my cost.”

William Makepeace Thackeray book The History of Henry Esmond

Bk. I, ch. 6.
The History of Henry Esmond (1852)

Faith

“Here was a man who could not spell, and did not care to read — who had the habits and the cunning of a boor: whose aim in life was pettifogging: who never had a taste, or emotion, or enjoyment, but was sordid and soil; and yet he had rank, and honors, and power, somehow: and was dignitary of the land, and a pillar of the state.”

William Makepeace Thackeray Vanity Fair

Vol. I, ch. 9.
Vanity Fair (1847–1848)

Life , Reading

“Whenever he met a great man he grovelled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.”

William Makepeace Thackeray Vanity Fair

Vol. I, ch. 13.
Vanity Fair (1847–1848)

“I never know whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses.”

William Makepeace Thackeray book The Virginians

Source: The Virginians (1857-1859), Ch. 56.

Sense