18 Top Richard Brinsley Sheridan Quotes

Famous As: Irish Politician, Playwright and Poet

Born On: 1751

Died On: 1816

Born In: Dublin, Ireland

Died At Age: 64

Richard Brinsley Sheridan was a celebrated Irish poet, satirist and playwright. He was owned the ‘London Theatre Royal,’ Drury Lane, for a really long time. For more than three decades he was the Whig MP in the ‘British House of Commons’ for Stafford, ‘IIchester’ and ‘Westminster.’ His plays are performed across the globe and remain a pivotal part of the canon. Some of his noteworthy works include, ‘The School for Scandal,’ ‘A Trip to Scarborough,’ ‘The Rivals,’ ‘St. Patrick’s Day’ and ‘The Duenna’ amongst various others. We have amassed some thought-provoking sayings and quotes by Richard Brinsley Sheridan which have been excerpted from his plays, writings, thoughts, poems, books, works and life, Presenting notable thoughts and quotes by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

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Leaders

Never say more than is necessary.
Never
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The number of those who undergo the fatigue of judging for themselves is very small indeed.

The number of those who undergo the fatigue of judging for themselves is very small indeed.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers.

Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

When of a gossiping circle it was asked,

When of a gossiping circle it was asked, "What are they doing?" The answer was, "Swapping lies.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

There is not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart as envy.

There is not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart as envy.
Heart
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

A circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge.

A circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The newspapers! Sir, they are the most villainous — licentious — abominable — infernal — Not that I ever read them — no — I make it a rule never to look into a newspaper.

The newspapers! Sir, they are the most villainous — licentious — abominable — infernal — Not that I ever read them — no — I make it a rule never to look into a newspaper.
Never I
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Certainly nothing is unnatural that is not physically impossible.

Certainly nothing is unnatural that is not physically impossible.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

My hair has been in training some time.
Time
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The right honorable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts.

The right honorable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Had I a thousand daughters, by Heaven! I'd as soon have them taught the black art as their alphabet!

Had I a thousand daughters, by Heaven! I'd as soon have them taught the black art as their alphabet!
Art I
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

You write with ease, to show your breeding,
But easy writing's curst hard reading.

You write with ease, to show your breeding, But easy writing's curst hard reading.
You
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

There's no possibility of being witty without a little ill-nature.

There's no possibility of being witty without a little ill-nature.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Egad, I think the interpreter is the hardest to be understood of the two!

Egad, I think the interpreter is the hardest to be understood of the two!
Think I
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

... if Charles is undone, he'll find half his acquaintance ruined too, and that, you know, is a consolation.

... if Charles is undone, he'll find half his acquaintance ruined too, and that, you know, is a consolation.
You
Richard Brinsley Sheridan

If to raise malicious smiles at the infirmities or misfortunes of those who have never injured us be the province of wit or humour, Heaven grant me a double portion of dullness.

If to raise malicious smiles at the infirmities or misfortunes of those who have never injured us be the province of wit or humour, Heaven grant me a double portion of dullness.
Me Never
Richard Brinsley Sheridan