William Wycherley Quotes

But if our sex would but well consider and rationally ponder, they will perceive and find that it is neither words nor place that can advance them, but worth and merit.

A wise man looks upon men as he does on horses; all their comparisons of title, wealth, and place, he consider but as harness.

There is no distinction of persons among them, and deference is shown to merit rather than to noble blood.

All men are equal; it is not their birth, but virtue itself that makes the difference

Like I always say, the man makes the title; the title doesn't make the man.

It is not what he had, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work.

Reputation is only a candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit.

Esteem must be founded on preference: to hold everyone in high esteem is to esteem nothing.

People should recognize who you are and how you can act rather then how famous you are.

Wealth, title, office, are no recommendations to my friendship. On the contrary, great good qualities are requisite to make amends for their having wealth, title, and office.

For titles do not reflect honor on men, but rather men on their titles.

Conduct, and conduct alone, entitles to respect: that not what men are, but what they do, constitutes their claim to deference … merit, and not birth, is the only rightful claim to power and authority

… the color of the skin is a condition entirely to be disregarded … I have little patience with … any other tests than those of regularity, character, manhood, and intelligence.

The public, unlike our governing elite, are not obsessed by race and sex. They are rightly interested only in the contents of the person's character.

Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow; The rest is all but leather and prunello.

I have often heard the ‘sarcastic’ remark applied to the factory worker ‘oh she is only a factory girl’; thus giving the impression to the World that we have no right to aspire to any other society but our own. I am sorry to say that we are not fully awakened to the facts that we contribute largely to the nation's wealth, and therefore demand respect, and not insult.

Only in recent history has “working hard” signaled pride rather than shame for lack of talent, finesse and, mostly, sprezzatura.

On the whole, it is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.

It is not the places which grace men, but men the places.

People do not inquire concerning a Stranger, What is he? but What can he do? If he has any useful art, he is welcome, and if he exercises it, and behaves well, he will be respected by all that know him; but a mere Man of Quality, who on that account, wants to live upon the Public, by some Office or Salary, who will be despised and disregarded.

Just remember, that whatever your write about me, I was a man.

Nobody voted for me on account of my origins. People voted for me because of what I am and what I stand for.

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.