Richard Brinsley Sheridan Quotes

There is no trusting appearances.

First staged at the Drury Lane Theatre on 8 May 1777, The School for Scandal received an enthusiastic welcome from audiences, though it only initially ran for twenty performances in its first season. However, it returned the following season for more than forty performances and by the end of the eighteenth century it had been staged more than two hundred times. The play was well received by critics, as they celebrated the wit and morals of the work. The essayist and critic, William Hazlitt, was effusive in his praise, describing it ‘the most finished and faultless comedy we have’ and stating that, ‘It professes a faith in the natural goodness as well as habitual depravity of human nature’. Similarly impressed was the late nineteenth century poet and critic, Edmund Gosse, who commented in A History of Eighteenth Century Literature that it was ‘perhaps the best existing English comedy of intrigue’.

I was struck all of a heap.

If I reprehend anything in this world, it is the use of my oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!

Through all the drama — whether damned or not — Love gilds the scene, and women guide the plot.

LADY TEAZLE. O to be sure she has herself the oddest countenance that ever was seen — ’tis a collection of Features from all the different Countries of the globe. SIR BENJAMIN. So she has indeed — an Irish Front — — CRABTREE. Caledonian Locks — — SIR BENJAMIN. Dutch Nose — — CRABTREE. Austrian Lips — — SIR BENJAMIN. Complexion of a Spaniard — — CRABTREE. And Teeth a la Chinoise — — SIR BENJAMIN. In short, her Face resembles a table d’hote at Spa — where no two guests are of a nation — — CRABTREE. Or a Congress at the close of a general War — wherein all the members even to her eyes appear to have a different interest and her Nose and Chin are the only Parties likely to join issue.

I ne'er could any luster see In eyes that would not look on me.

Steal! to be sure they may; and, egad, serve your best thoughts as gypsies do stolen children,—disfigure them to make 'em pass for their own.

<small>THEY</small>, by a strange Frenzy driven, fight for Power, for Plunder, and extended Rule—<small>WE</small>, for our Country, our Altars, and our Homes.—<small>THEY</small> follow an <small>ADVENTURER</small>, whom they fear—and obey a Power which they hate—<small>WE</small> serve a Monarch whom we love—a God whom we adore...They call on us to barter all of Good we have inherited and proved, for the desperate Chance of Something better which they promise.—Be our plain Answer this: The Throne <small>WE</small> honour is the <small>PEOPLE'S CHOICE</small>—the Laws we reverence are our brave Fathers' Legacy—the Faith we follow teaches us to live in bonds of Charity with all Mankind, and die with Hope of Bliss beyond the Grave. Tell your Invaders this; and tell them too, we seek no Change; and, least of all, such Change as they would bring us.

Won’t you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.

Here’s to the maiden of bashful fifteen
Here’s to the widow of fifty
Here’s to the flaunting, extravagant queen;
And here’s to the housewife that’s thrifty.
Let the toast pass—
Drink to the lass—
I’ll warrant she’ll prove an excuse for the glass!

No caparisons, miss, if you please. Caparisons don't become a young woman.

Where they do agree on the stage, their unanimity is wonderful.

A bumper of good liquor Will end a contest quicker Than justice, judge, or vicar.

SIR OLIVER. Aye — I know — there are a set of malicious prating prudent Gossips both male and Female, who murder characters to kill time, and will rob a young Fellow of his good name before He has years to know the value of it.