William Shenstone Quotes

Somebody has said, that a king may make a nobleman but he cannot make a gentleman.

All the gold which is under or upon the earth is not enough to give in exchange for virtue.

I have not observed men's honesty to increase with their riches.

All the gold upon the earth and all the gold beneath it, does not compensate for lack of virtue.

Experience shows us Wealth unchaperoned by Virtue is never an innocuous neighbor.

When we are sick our virtues and our vices are in abeyance.

Never esteem people (including yourself) more because they have money, nor think less of anyone (including yourself) because they lack it. Virtue is the only just reason for respecting anyone, lack of virtue the only reason for holding anyone in low regard.

Fie on possession, But if a man be vertuous withal.

Virtue is not always amiable.

A well-born man is fortunate, but so is the man about whom people no longer ask, 'is he well-born?'

I have seen men incapable of the sciences, but never any incapable of virtue.

Riches ennoble a man's circumstances, but not himself.

Though a hundred crooked paths may conduct to a temporary success, the one plain and straight path of public and private virtue can alone lead to a pure and lasting fame and the blessings of posterity.

But courage without conduct is the virtue of a robber, or a tyrant.

These virtues are formed in man by his doing the actions ... The good of man is a working of the soul in the way of excellence in a complete life.

For you cannot have gentility without paying for it.

Not every great man is a grand human being.

Wealth, howsoever got, in England makes lords of mechanics, gentlemen of rakes; Antiquity and birth are needless here; 'Tis impudence and money makes a peer.

The superior man is anxious lest he should not get the truth; he is not anxious lest poverty should come upon him.

In the affairs of this world, poverty alone is without envy.

Vice is man's nature: virtue is a habit--or a mask.

If you are poor, distinguish yourself by your virtues; if rich, by your good deeds.

I have yet to meet a man as fond of high moral conduct as he is of outward appearances.

Wealth is an inborn attitude of mind, like poverty. The pauper who has made his pile may flaunt his spoils, but cannot wear them plausibly.

There is nothing that is meritorious but virtue and friendship.