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A man of remarkable genius may afford to pass by a piece of wit, if it happens to border on abuse. A little genius is obliged to catch at every witticism indiscriminately.

— William Shenstone Essays on Men and Manners (1764)

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More quotes by William Shenstone

Necessity may be the mother of lucrative invention, but it is the death of poetical invention.

Essays on Men and Manners (1764)

Zealous men are ever displaying to you the strength of their belief, while judicious men are shewing you the grounds of it.

Essays on Men and Manners (1764)

A man has generally the good or ill qualities which he attributes to mankind.

Essays on Men and Manners (1764)

Oft has good-nature been the fool's defence,
And honest meaning gilded want of sense.

Verses to a Lady (1736)

Love can be founded upon nature only; or the appearance of it.

Essays on Men and Manners (1764)

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