Quotes from work

The Rivals

“We will not anticipate the past; so mind, young people,—our retrospection will be all to the future.”

“You're our enemy; lead the way, and we 'll precede.”

“My valour is certainly going! — it is sneaking off! I feel it oozing out, as it were, at the palm of my hands!”

“Never say more than is necessary.”

“The quarrel is a very pretty quarrel as it stands; we should only spoil it by trying to explain it.”

“He is the very pineapple of politeness!”

“As there are three of us come on purpose for the game, you won't be so cantankerous as to spoil the party by sitting out.”

“You are not like Cerberus, three gentlemen at once, are you?”

“Through all the drama — whether damned or not —
Love gilds the scene, and women guide the plot.”

“If I reprehend anything in this world, it is the use of my oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!”

“As headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile.”

“A circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge.”

“No caparisons, miss, if you please. Caparisons don't become a young woman.”

“I own the soft impeachment.”

“There's nothing like being used to a thing.”

“Our ancestors are very good kind of folks; but they are the last people I should choose to have a visiting acquaintance with.”

“I know you are laughing in your sleeve.”

“Tis safest in matrimony to begin with a little aversion.”

“Too civil by half.”