Catherine: A Story

“Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural.””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied?””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“All is vanity, nothing is fair.””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“If a man's character is to be abused, say what you will, there's nobody like a relative to do the business.””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly kind companion; and so let all young persons take their choice.””

— William Makepeace Thackeray

“A woman may possess the wisdom and chastity of Minerva, and we give no heed to her, if she has a plain face. What folly will not a pair of bright eyes make pardonable? What dullness may not red lips are sweet accents render pleasant? And so, with their usual sense of justice, ladies argue that because a woman is handsome, therefore she is a fool. O ladies, ladies! there are some of you who are neither handsome nor wise. ””

— William Makepeace Thackeray