Horace Walpole quotes

Horace Walpole was an English writer, art historian, and politician, best known for his novel "The Castle of Otranto." His works played a crucial role in pioneering the Gothic novel genre. He also left a significant mark on architecture and collected art at his famed Strawberry Hill House. Here are 66 of his quotes:

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.

Horace Walpole

It was easier to conquer it than to know what to do with it.

Horace Walpole

Men are often capable of greater things than they perform - They are sent into the world with bills of credit, and seldom draw to their full extent.

Horace Walpole

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn't. A sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is.

Horace Walpole

Our supreme governors, the mob.

Horace Walpole

A careless song, with a little nonsense in it now and then, does not misbecome a monarch.

Horace Walpole

The whole Scotch nation hitherto has been void of wit and humour, and even incapable of relishing it.

Horace Walpole

Foolish writers and readers are created for each other.

Horace Walpole

Justice is rather the activity of truth, than a virtue in itself. Truth tells us what is due to others, and justice renders that due. Injustice is acting a lie.

Horace Walpole

The way to ensure summer in England is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room.

Horace Walpole

Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of the passions and their operations in diversified situations.

Horace Walpole

A tragedy can never suffer by delay: a comedy may, because the allusions or the manners represented in it maybe temporary.

Horace Walpole

The next Augustan age will dawn on the other side of the Atlantic. There will, perhaps, be a Thucydides at Boston, a Xenophon at New York, and, in time, a Virgil at Mexico, and a Newton at Peru. At last, some curious traveller from Lima will visit England and give a description of the ruins of St Paul's, like the editions of Balbec and Palmyra.

Horace Walpole

My aversion to them...springs from the perniciousness of that sect to society-I hate Papists, as a man, not as a Protestant. If Papists were only enemies to the religion of other men, I should overlook their errors. As they are foes to liberty, I cannot forgive them.

Horace Walpole

If a passion for freedom is not in vogue, patriots may sound the alarm till they are weary. The Act of Habeas Corpus, by which prisoners may insist on being brought to trial within a limited time, is the corner-stone of our liberty.

Horace Walpole

... Why, I'll swear I see no difference between a country gentleman and a sirloin; whenever the first laughs, or the latter is cut, there run out just the same streams of gravy! ... Oh! my dear Sir, don't you find that nine parts in ten of the world are of no use but to make you wish yourself with that tenth part? ...

Horace Walpole

Peace, simpleton!” said the Princess. "Though he said he was unhappy, it does not follow that he must be in love.

Horace Walpole

To act with common sense, according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know; and the best philosophy, to do one's duties, take the world as it comes, submit respectfully to one's lot, bless the goodness that has given us so much happiness with it, whatever it is, and despise affectation.

Horace Walpole

Nine-tenths of the people were created so you would want to be with the other tenth.

Horace Walpole

The wisest prophets make sure of the event first.

Horace Walpole

We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.

Horace Walpole

Alexander at the head of the world never tasted the true pleasure that boys of his own age have enjoyed at the head of a school.

Horace Walpole