The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.

The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.

With various readings stored his empty skull,
Learn'd without sense, and venerably dull.

With various readings stored his empty skull,
Learn'd without sense, and venerably dull.

The fault rests with the gods, who have made her so stupid.
[Lat., La faute en est aux dieux, read more

The fault rests with the gods, who have made her so stupid.
[Lat., La faute en est aux dieux, qui la firent si bete.]

I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it.

I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it.

A pity about the people! they are brave enough comrades, but
they have heads like a soapboiler's.
[Ger., read more

A pity about the people! they are brave enough comrades, but
they have heads like a soapboiler's.
[Ger., Schad'um die Leut'! Sind sonst wackre Bruder
Aber das denkt, wie ein Seifensieder.]

The fool of nature stood with stupid eyes
And gaping mouth, that testified surprise.

The fool of nature stood with stupid eyes
And gaping mouth, that testified surprise.

Why, sir, Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken
him a great deal of pains to read more

Why, sir, Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken
him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an
excess of stupidity, Sir, is not in Nature.

He is not only dull himself, but the cause of dulness in others.

He is not only dull himself, but the cause of dulness in others.

It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to
open it and remove all doubt.

It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to
open it and remove all doubt.