# Quote — William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

> It is very likely that this lady, in her high station, had to submit to many a private indignity and to hide many secret griefs under a calm face. And let us, my brethren who have not our names in the Red Book, console ourselves by thinking comfortably how miserable our betters may be, and that Damocles, who sits on satin cushions and is served on gold plate, has an awful sword hanging over his head in the shape of a bailiff, or an hereditary disease, or a family secret, which peeps out every now and then from the embroidered arras in a ghastly manner, and will be sure to drop one day or the other in the right place.

- Author: [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray.md)
- Book: [Vanity Fair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray/vanity-fair.md)
- Page: 459
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_(novel)#Quotes) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray/vanity-fair/it-is-very

## More from this book

> Like many wealthy people, it was Miss Crawley’s habit to accept as much service as she could get from her inferiors; and good-naturedly to take leave of them when she no longer found them useful. Gratitude among certain rich folks is scarcely natural or to be thought of. They take needy people’s services as their due. Nor have you, O poor parasite and humble hanger-on, much reason to complain! Your friendship for Dives is about as sincere as the return which it usually gets. It is money you love, and not the man; and were Croesus and his footman to change places, you know, you poor rogue, who would have the benefit of your allegiance.

p. 135 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray/vanity-fair/like-many-wealthy.md)

> Them’s my sentiments.

p. 198 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray/vanity-fair/thems-my-sentiments.md)

> Whenever he met a great man he grovelled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.

p. 125 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-makepeace-thackeray/vanity-fair/whenever-he-met.md)