Richard Bentley Quotes

BENTLEY, Richard Quotes

(1662-1742), English critic

Civility

When a great merchant of Liverpool was asked by what means he had contrived to realize the large fortune he possessed, his reply was, "By one article alone, in which thou mayest deal too, if thou pleasest—it is civility."

Criticism

It is a maxim with me, that no man was ever written out of a reputation but by himself.

Vice

The hatred of the vicious will do you less harm than their conversation.