Hope is a flatterer, but the most upright of all parasites; for she frequents the poor man's hut, as well as the palace of his superior.

- William Shenstone

What leads to unhappiness, is making pleasure the chief aim.

- William Shenstone

Second thoughts oftentimes are the very worst of all thoughts.

- William Shenstone

His knowledge of books had in some degree diminished his knowledge of the world.

- William Shenstone

The lines of poetry, the period of prose, and even the texts of Scripture most frequently recollected and quoted, are those which are felt to be preeminently musical.

- William Shenstone

Laws are generally found to be nets of such a texture, as the little creep through, the great break through, and the middle-sized are alone entangled in it.

- William Shenstone

The regard one shows economy, is like that we show an old aunt who is to leave us something at last.

- William Shenstone

Poetry and consumption are the most flattering of diseases.

- William Shenstone

A man has generally the good or ill qualities, which he attributes to mankind.

- William Shenstone

Grandeur and beauty are so very opposite, that you often diminish the one as you increase the other. Variety is most akin to the latter, simplicity to the former.

- William Shenstone

There is nothing more universally commended than a fine day; the reason is that people can commend it without envy.

- William Shenstone

The eye must be easy, before it can be pleased.

- William Shenstone

A miser grows rich by seeming poor; an extravagant man grows poor by seeming rich.

- William Shenstone

Every good poet includes a critic, but the reverse is not true.

- William Shenstone

A fool and his words are soon parted.

- William Shenstone

Virtues, like essences, lose their fragrance when exposed.

- William Shenstone

Zealous men are ever displaying to you the strength of their belief, while judicious men are showing you the grounds of it.

- William Shenstone

The world may be divided into people that read, people that write, people that think, and fox-hunters.

- William Shenstone

Anger is a great force. If you control it, it can be transmuted into a power which can move the whole world.

- William Shenstone

Jealousy is the fear or apprehension of superiority: envy our uneasiness under it.

- William Shenstone