William M. Thackeray Great Quotations

To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it; to go through intrigue spotless; to forego even ambition when the end is gained - who can say this is not greatness?

I have long gone about with a conviction on my mind that I had a work to do -- a Work, if you like, with a great W; a Purpose to fulfil.

Whenever he met a great man he groveled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.

Ah vanity of vanities! How wayward the decrees of fate are, How very weak the very wise, How very small the very great are

Ah vanity of vanities! How wayward the decrees of fate are, How very weak the very wise, How very small the very great are

By economy and good management -- by a sparing use of ready money and by paying scarcely anybody, -- people can manage to make a great show with very little means.