What is a gentleman? It is to be honest, to be gentle, to be generous, to be brave, to be wise; and possessed of all these qualities to exercise them in the most graceful manner. William Makepeace Thackeray More Quotes by William Makepeace Thackeray More Quotes From William Makepeace Thackeray No particular motive for living, except the custom and habit of it. William Makepeace Thackeray motive habit life Bravery never goes out of fashion. William Makepeace Thackeray memorial-day fashion courage Women are jealous of cigars... they regard them as a strong rival. William Makepeace Thackeray rivals jealous strong Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied? William Makepeace Thackeray desire joy happiness The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish; it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected. William Makepeace Thackeray thoughtful style smoking If there is no love more in yonder heart, it is but a corpse unburied. William Makepeace Thackeray ifs heart love Except for the young or very happy, I can't say I am sorry for anyone who dies. William Makepeace Thackeray im-sorry dying death Life without laughing is a dreary blank. William Makepeace Thackeray blank laughter laughing Vanity Fair is a very vain, wicked, foolish place, full of all sorts of humbugs and falsenesses and pretensions. William Makepeace Thackeray wicked vanity foolish Hint at the existence of wickedness in a light, easy, and agreeable manner, so that nobody's fine feelings may be offended. William Makepeace Thackeray hints light feelings To be thought rich is as good as to be rich. William Makepeace Thackeray riches rich Though small was your allowance, William Makepeace Thackeray allowance stores littles People hate as they love, unreasonably. William Makepeace Thackeray hate love people The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar, familiar things new. William Makepeace Thackeray familiar writing two Bad husbands will make bad wives. William Makepeace Thackeray anniversary wife husband What is it to be a gentleman? Is it to be honest, to be gentle, to be generous, to be brave, to be wise, and, possessing all these qualities, to exercise them in the most graceful outward manner? Ought a gentleman to be a loyal son, a true husband, an honest father? Ought his life to be decent, his bills to be paid, his taste to be high and elegant, his aims in life lofty and noble? William Makepeace Thackeray husband wise father Those who are gone, you have. Those who departed loving you, love you still; and you love them always. They are not really gone, those dear hearts and true; they are only gone into the next room; and you will presently get up and follow them, and yonder door will close upon you, and you will be no more seen. William Makepeace Thackeray heart doors love Kindness is very indigestible. It disagrees with very proud stomachs. William Makepeace Thackeray disagree proud kindness The great moments of life are but moments like the others. Your doom is spoken in a word or two. A single look from the eyes; a mere pressure of the hand, may decide it; or of the lip,s though they cannot speak. William Makepeace Thackeray eye opportunity hands An immense percentage of snobs, I believe, is to be found in every rank of this mortal life. William Makepeace Thackeray percentages found believe