Richard Brinsley Sheridan
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"Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan" was an Irish playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He is known for his plays such as The Rivals, The School for Scandal and A Trip to Scarborough. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig (British political party)/Whig Member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom/British House of Commons for Stafford (UK Parliament constituency)/Stafford (1780–1806), Westminster (UK Parliament constituency)/Westminster (1806–1807) and Ilchester (UK Parliament constituency)/Ilchester (1807–1812). He was buried at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey Burials and Memorials/Westminster Abbey.

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There's no possibility of being witty without a little ill-nature; the malice of a good thing is the barb that makes it stick.

Do thou snatch treasures from my lips, and I'll take kingdoms back from thine.

He is indebted to his memory for his jests and to his imagination for his facts.

That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.

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

When of a gossiping circle it was asked, 'What are they doing?' The answer was, 'Swapping lies.'

Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.

Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than liked.

Madam, a circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge; it blossoms through the year. And depend on it that they who are so fond of handling the leaves, will long for the fruit at last.

Take care; you know I am compliance itself, when I am not thwarted! No one more easily led, when I have my own way; but don't put me in a frenzy.

Humanity is composed but of two categories, the invalids and the nurses.

When you meet your antagonist, do everything in a mild and agreeable manner. Let your courage be as keen, but at the same time as polished, as your sword.

You know it is not in my Interest to pay the Principal; nor is it my Principal to pay the Interest.

Certainly nothing is unnatural that is not physically impossible.