25 Quotes & Sayings By George Meredith

George Meredith (1828-1909) was born in London, the son of a clergyman. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, and taught at Westminster School, Didsbury, Manchester. He wrote his first novel, A Modern Lover (1853), and his first play (The Egoist), both of which were turned down by publishers. His dramas include The New Magdalen (1871) and The Return of the Shuttle (1873) Read more

His major novels include The Egoist (1877) and The Ordeal of Richard Feverel (1880). Other novels include: Flush (1885), Letters from Egypt (1887), Lord Kilgobbin (1892), and Lionel's Vision (1901). His letters were published as The Letters of George Meredith 1861-1900, edited by Malcolm Cowley.

I expect that Woman will be the last thing civilized...
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I expect that Woman will be the last thing civilized by Man. George Meredith
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Kissing don't last: cookery do ! George Meredith
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Why mayn't they do what men do?' the Hero cried impetuously. 'I hate that contemptible narrow-mindedness. It's that that makes the ruin and horrors I see. Why mayn't they do what men do? I like the women who are brave enough not to be hypocrites. By Heaven! if these women are bad, I like them better than a set of hypocritical creatures who are all show, and deceive you in the end. George Meredith
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Perfect simplicity is unconsciously audacious. George Meredith
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There is nothing the body suffers which the soul may not profit by. George Meredith
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Caricature is rough truth. George Meredith
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Cynicism is intellectual dandyism without the coxcomb's feathers. George Meredith
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Ah what a dusty answer gets the soul when hot for certainties in this our life! George Meredith
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Kissing don't last: cookery do. George Meredith
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Published memoirs indicate the end of a man's activity and that he acknowledges the end. George Meredith
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Cultivated men and women who do not skim the cream of life and are attached to the duties yet escape the harsher blows make acute and balanced observers. George Meredith
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Cynicism is intellectual dandyism. George Meredith
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She heard the snuffle of hypocrisy in her prayer. She had to cease to pray. George Meredith
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Prayer for worldly goods is worse than fruitless but prayer for strength of soul is that passion of the soul which catches the gift it seeks. George Meredith
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Who rises from prayer a better man his prayer is answered. George Meredith
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Chance works for us when we are good captains. George Meredith
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We are betrayed by what is false within. George Meredith
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Speech is the small change of silence. George Meredith
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The well of true wit is truth itself. George Meredith
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Memoirs: the backstairs of history. George Meredith
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Memoirs are the backstairs of history. George Meredith
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Don't just count your years, make your years count. George Meredith
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Jealousy is love bed of burning snarl. George Meredith
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A witty woman is a treasure a witty beauty is a power. George Meredith