When a baronet is discovered behind a bush in the park with a guardsman, or a minister of the crown is caught creeping out of a country with his socks stuffed full of bank notes and a woman not his wife ten paces behind, or a public person is revealed disporting himself with a couple of tarts and a teddy bear in West Paddington, they complain to the press that the outcry is hypocritical and that everyone would like to do what they were doing if only they had the chance. They regard the law as an instrument of envy, like nationalization and death duties. Alice Thomas Ellis
If you seem to be happy in this place of solitude, you will acquire a great reputation for wisdom, and I know, by my own experience, that under the cloak of a great reputation it is possible to hide whole treasures of folly. (“The Story...
-
William Beckford
He was very religious he believed that he had a secret pact with God which exempted him from doing good in exchange for prayers and piety.
-
Jorge Luis Borges
... the worst possible heritage to leave with children: high spiritual pretensions and low performance.
-
D.A. Carson
Look at that crowd', he said disgustedly. 'They think it's a circus.'' And not a single coin are they donating', said Dina.'That's not surprising. Pity can only be shown in small doses. When so many beggars are in one place, the public goes like this'...
-
Rohinton Mistry
All people like to be praised as it boosts their self-esteem, keeps them motivated and happy but it also pushes them into the abyss of sham, which is propelled by hypocrisy and sycophancy.
-
Balroop Singh
More Quotes By Alice Thomas Ellis
They shared an image of the American Christmas--riches, reconciliations, tears, snow, success, sentiment, furs and firs, the shop windows shining like Heaven and everything good for sale.
.. to cook well and with imagination you have to be in a cheerful and contented frame of mind, and thus inclined to be generous.
When a baronet is discovered behind a bush in the park with a guardsman, or a minister of the crown is caught creeping out of a country with his socks stuffed full of bank notes and a woman not his wife ten paces behind, or...
Death is the last enemy: once we've got past that I think everything will be all right.
There is no reciprocity. Men love women women love children children love hamsters.
