Quotation
If, in looking at the lives of princes, courtiers, men of rank and fashion, we must perforce depict them as idle, profligate, and criminal, we must make allowances for the rich men's failings, and recollect that we, too, were very likely indolent and voluptuous, had we no motive for work, a mortal's natural taste for pleasure, and the daily temptation of a large income. What could a great peer, with a great castle and park, and a great fortune, do but be splendid and idle?
Thackeray, William M.
This quote is filed under Aristocracy · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation · Tell us if you know any facts or errors in this quote · Help your friends discover QB
These people bookmarked this quote:
- Nobody has bookmarked this quote yet.
Search the web for Thackeray, William M.
More on the author
- Find photos of this author
- Consult wikipedia for the author
- Search BBC TV and radio for shows referencing this author
This quote around the web
Powered by Google Blogs
Search the web for Thackeray, William M.
- Find photos of this author
- Consult wikipedia for the author
- Search BBC TV and radio for shows referencing this author

If, in looking at the lives of princes, courtiers, men of rank and fashion, we must perforce depict them as idle, profligate, and criminal, we must make allowances for the rich men's failings, and recollect that we, too, were very likely indolent and voluptuous, had we no motive for work, a mortal's natural taste for pleasure, and the daily temptation of a large income. What could a great peer, with a great castle and park, and a great fortune, do but be splendid and idle?