Richard Brinsley Sheridan Quotes & Sayings

A bumper of good liquor will end a contest quicker than justice, judge, or vicar. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Men seldom think deeply on subjects in which they have no choice of opinion: they are fearful of encountering obstacles to their faith
as in religion
and so are content with the surface. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I would by no means wish a daughter of mine to be a progeny of learning. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The glorious uncertainty of the law was a thing well known and complained of, by all ignorant people, but all learned gentleman considered it as its greatest excellency. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Certainly nothing is unnatural that is not physically impossible. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The right honorable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

If Charles is undone, he'll find half his acquaintance ruined too, and that, you know, is a consolation. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Date not the life which thou hast run by the mean of reckoning of the hours and days, which though hast breathed: a life spent worthily should be measured by a nobler line, - by deeds, not years ... — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

An oyster may be crossed in love. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Alas! the devil's sooner raised than laid. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Sheer necessity,-the proper parent of an art so nearly allied to invention. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

In all cases of slander currency, whenever the forger of the lie is not to be found, the injured parties should have a right to come on any of the indorsers. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Nothing keeps me in such awe as perfect beauty; now, there is something consoling and encouraging in ugliness. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The silver ore of pure charity is an expensive article in the catalogue of a man's good qualities. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

There is no trusting appearances. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I ne'er could any luster seeIn eyes that would not look on me. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Prudence, like experience, must be paid for. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Humanity always becomes a conqueror. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The newspapers! Sir, they are the most villainous - licentious - abominable - infernal - Not that I ever read them - no - I make it a rule never to look into a newspaper. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Fertilizer does no good in a heap, but a little spread around works miracles all over. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I loved him for himself alone. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I ne'er could any lustre see In eyes that would not look on me; I ne'er saw nectar on a lip But where my own did hope to sip. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Easy writings curse is hard reading. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Where they do agree on the stage, their unanimity is wonderful. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Conscience has no more to do with gallantry than it has with politics. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The quarrel is a very pretty quarrel as it stands - we should only spoil it by trying to explain it. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

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. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

If the thought is slow to come, a glass of good wine encourages it; and when it does come, a glass of good wine rewards it. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

To pity, without the power to relieve, is still more painful than to ask and be denied. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The most threatened group in human societies as in animal societies is the unmated male: the unmated male is more likely to wind up in prison or in an asylum or dead than his mated counterpart. He is less likely to be promoted at work and he is considered a poor credit risk. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I own the soft impeachment. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Never say more than is necessary. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

When of a gossiping circle it was asked, "What are they doing?" The answer was, "Swapping lies. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Believe that story false that ought not to be true. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

No scandal about Queen Elizabeth, I hope? — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I leave my character behind me. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

When delicate and feeling souls are separated, there is not a feature in the sky, not a movement of the elements, not an aspiration of the breeze, but hints some cause for a lover's apprehension. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The surest way to fail is not to determine to succeed. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

If Parliament were to consider the sporting with reputation of as much importance as sporting on manors, and pass an act for the preservation of fame as well as game, there are many who would thank them for the bill. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Good reading makes for damn hard writing. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Satires and lampoons on particular people circulate more by giving copies in confidence to the friends of the parties, than by printing them. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Had I a thousand daughters, by Heaven! I'd as soon have them taught the black art as their alphabet! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Those that vow the most are the least sincere. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Mr. Speaker. I said the honorable member was a liar it is true and I am sorry for it. The honorable member may place the punctuation where he pleases. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

A man may think an untruth as well as speak one. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

There are a set of malicious, prating, prudent gossips, both male and female, who murder characters to kill time; and will rob a young fellow of his good name before he has years to know the value of it. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

For in religion as in friendship, they who profess most are ever the least sincere. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Had I a heart for falsehood framed, I ne'er could injure you. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I was struck all on a heap. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Do thou snatch treasures from my lips, and I'll take kingdoms back from thine. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

A tale of scandal is as fatal to the credit of a prudent lady as a fever is generally to those of the strongest constitutions. But there is a sort of puny, sickly reputation, that is always ailing, yet will wither the robuster characters of a hundred prudes. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Wit loses its point when dipped in malice. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

If I reprehend anything in this world, it is the use of my oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Ay, ay, the best terms will grow obsolete: damns have had their day. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

An unforgiving eye, and a damned disinheriting countenance! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

It is not my interest to pay the principal, nor my principle to pay the interest. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Self confidence is the ground stone of success — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

If to raise malicious smiles at the infirmities or misfortunes of those who have never injured us be the province of wit or humour, Heaven grant me a double portion of dullness. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Women govern us; let us render them perfect: the more they are enlightened, so much the more shall we be. On the cultivation of the mind of women depends the wisdom of men. It is by women that nature writes on the hearts of men. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I open with a clock striking, to beget an awful attention in the audience - it also marks the time, which is four o clock in the morning, and saves a description of the rising sun, and a great deal about gilding the eastern hemisphere. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

SNEER. But, what the deuce, is the confidante to be mad too?
PUFF. To be sure she is. The confidante is always to do whatever her mistress does- weep when she weeps, smile when she smiles, go mad when she goes mad.-Now, Madam Confidante! But keep your madness in the background, if you please. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

You write with ease, to show your breeding,
But easy writing's curst hard reading. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Justice-august and pure, the abstract idea of all that would be perfect in the spirits and the inspirations of men!-where the mind rises; where the heart expands; where the countenance is ever placid and benign; where her favorite attitude is to stoop to the unfortunate; to hear their cry and to help them; to rescue and relieve; to succor and save; majestic, from its mercy; venerable, from its Lutility; uplifted, without pride; firm without obduracy; beneficent in each preference; lovely, though in her frown! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

A progeny of learning. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

'Tis safest in matrimony to begin with a little aversion. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

We will not anticipate the past; so mind, young people,-our retrospection will be all to the future. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than liked. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I am compliance itself - when I am not thwarted; - no one more easily led - when I have my own way. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

-'tis an old observation, and a very true one; but what's to be done, as I said before? how will you prevent people from talking? ... — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

A man may surely be allowed to take a glass of wine by his own fireside. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Through all the drama - whether damned or not -Love gilds the scene, and women guide the plot. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

You know it is not my interest to pay the principal, or my principal to pay the interest. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

You shall see them on a beautiful quarto page where a neat rivulet of text shall meander through a meadow of margin. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Wine does but draw forth a man's natural qualities. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

There 's nothing like being used to a thing. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

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

A wise woman will always let her husband have her way. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

There is nothing on earth so easy as to forget, if a person chooses to set about it. I'm sure I have as much forgot your poor, dear uncle, as if he had never existed; and I thought it my duty to do so. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

He is the very pineapple of politeness! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The number of those who undergo the fatigue of judging for themselves is very small indeed. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Happiness is an exotic of celestial birth. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Though I never scruple a lie to serve my Master, it hurts one's conscience to be found out! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Steal! to be sure they may; and, egad, serve your best thoughts as gypsies do stolen children,-disfigure them to make 'em pass for their own. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same time, as polished as your sword. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

O Lord, Sir - when a heroine goes mad she always goes into white satin. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Death's a debt; his mandamus binds all alike- no bail, no demurrer. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Nay, but Jack, such eyes! such eyes! so innocently wild! so bashfully irresolute! Not a glance but speaks and kindles some thought of love! Then, Jack, her cheeks! her cheeks, Jack! so deeply blushing at the insinuations of her tell-tale eyes! Then, Jack, her lips! O, Jack, lips smiling at their own discretion! and, if not smiling, more sweetly pouting - more lovely in sullenness! Then, Jack, her neck! O, Jack, Jack! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Our memories are independent of our wills. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Here is the whole set! a character dead at every word. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

To smile at the jest which plants a thorn in another's breast is to become a principal in the mischief. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Believe not each accusing tongue,
As most weak persons do;
But still believe that story wrong,
Which ought not to be true! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Pity those who nature abuses; never those who abuse nature. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Many a wretch has rid on a hurdle who has done less mischief than utterers of forged tales, coiners of scandal, and clippers of reputation. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

An aspersion upon my parts of speech! — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

There never was a scandalous tale without some foundation. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I had rather follow you to your grave than see you owe your life to any but a regular-bred physician. — Richard Brinsley Sheridan