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To act with common sense, according to the moment, is the best wisdom I know; and the best philosophy, to do one's duties, take the world as it comes, submit respectfully to one's lot, bless the goodness that has given us so much happiness with it, whatever it is, and despise affectation.

— Horace Walpole

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More quotes by Horace Walpole

Prognostics do not always prove prophecies, — at least the wisest prophets make sure of the event first.

A tragedy can never suffer by delay: a comedy may, because the allusions or the manners represented in it maybe temporary.

The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel– a solution of why Democritus laughed and Heraclitus wept.

Power is an intoxicating draught; the more a man has, the more he desires.

A careless song, with a little nonsense in it now and then, does not misbecome a monarch.

Letter to Sir Horace Mann (1774)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Horace Walpole (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.