# Quote — William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

> Vanity Fair—Vanity Fair! Here was a man, who could not spell, and did not care to read—who had the habits and the cunning of a boor: whose aim in life was pettifogging: who never had a taste, or emotion, or enjoyment, but what was sordid and foul; and yet he had rank, and honours, and power, somehow: and was a dignitary of the land, and a pillar of the state. He was high sheriff, and rode in a golden coach. Great ministers and statesmen courted him; and in Vanity Fair he had a higher place than the most brilliant genius or spotless virtue.

- 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: 84
- 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/vanity-fair-vanity-fair

## 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)