Richard Steele

A favor well bestowed is almost as great an honor to him who confers it as to him who receives it.

Sir Richard Steele (baptized 12 March 1672 – 1 September 1729) was an Irish writer and politician, famous for co-founding The Spectator magazine with his friend Joseph Addison.

Quotes

When you fall into a man's conversation, the first thing you should consider is, whether he has a greater inclination to hear you, or that you should hear him.

• It is to be noted that when any part of this paper appears dull there is a design in it,
  • The Tatler, no. 38 (7 July 1709)

• Though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her is an immediate check to loose behaviour; to love her is a liberal education.
  • The Tatler, no. 49 (2 August 1709), on Lady Elizabeth Hastings

• Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
  • The Tatler, no. 147 (18 March 1710)

• It was very prettily said, that we may learn the little value of fortune by the persons on whom heaven is pleased to bestow it.
  • The Tatler, no. 203 (27 July 1710)

Letters to His Wife (1707-1712)

No man was ever so completely skilled in the conduct of life, as not to receive new information from age and experience.

• I am come to a tavern alone to eat a steak, after which I shall return to the office.
  • 28 October 1707

• I was going home two hours ago, but was met by Mr. Griffith, who has kept me ever since. I will come within a pint of wine.
  • Eleven at night, 5 January 1708

• A little in drink, but at all times yr faithful husband.
  • 27 September 1708

• The finest woman in nature should not detain me an hour from you; but you must sometimes suffer the rivalship of the wisest men.
  • 17 September 1712

The Spectator (1711-1714)

• When you fall into a man's conversation, the first thing you should consider is, whether he has a greater inclination to hear you, or that you should hear him.
  • No. 49 (26 April 1711)

• The insupportable labour of doing nothing.
  • No. 54 (2 May 1711)

• A woman seldom writes her mind but in her postscript.
  • No. 79 (31 May 1711)

• We were in some little time fixed in our seats, and sat with that dislike which people not too good-natured usually conceive of each other at first sight.
  • No. 132 (1 August 1711)

• Of all the affections which attend human life, the love of glory is the most ardent.
  • No. 139 (9 August 1711)

• Age in a virtuous person, of either sex, carries in it an authority which makes it preferable to all the pleasures of youth.
  • No. 153 (25 August 1711)

• Among all the diseases of the mind there is not one more epidemical or more pernicious than the love of flattery.
  • No. 238 (3 December 1711)

• There are so few who can grow old with a good grace.
  • No. 263 (1 January 1712)

• Will Honeycomb calls these over-offended ladies the outrageously virtuous.
  • No. 266 (4 January 1712)

• A favor well bestowed is almost as great an honor to him who confers it as to him who receives it.
  • No. 497 (30 September 1712)

• No man was ever so completely skilled in the conduct of life, as not to receive new information from age and experience…
  • No. 544 (24 November 1712)

Quotes about Richard Steele

• If there is a verity in wine, according to the old adage, what an amiable-natured character Dick's must have been! In proportion as he took in wine he overflowed with kindness.
• I think Steele shone rather than sparkled.
• Dick never thought that his bottle companion was a butt to aim at - only a friend to shake by the hand.
  • W.M. Thackeray. The History of Henry Esmond. Book 2, Chapter 11.

External links

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• Works by Richard Steele at Project Gutenberg