Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Egad, I think the interpreter is the hardest to be understood of the two!

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

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.

There is not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart as envy.

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.

It was an amiable weakness.

Be just before you're generous.

An unforgiving eye, and a damned disinheriting countenance.

Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen; Here's to the widow of fifty; Here's to the flaunting, extravegant quean, And here's to the housewife that's thrifty. Let the toast pass — Drink to the lass;

I leave my character behind me.

Here is the whole set! a character dead at every word.

You had no taste when you married me.

You shall see them on a beautiful quarto page, where a neat rivulet of text shall meander through a meadow of margin.

Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers.

Conscience has no more to do with gallantry than it has with politics.

Had I a heart for falsehood framed, I ne'er could injure you.

A bumper of good liquor Will end a contest quicker Than justice, judge, or vicar.

I loved him for himself alone.

I ne'er could any luster see In eyes that would not look on me.

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

I own the soft impeachment.

My valour is certainly going! — it is sneaking off! I feel it oozing out, as it were, at the palm of my hands!

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.

There's nothing like being used to a thing.