I would rather make my name than inherit it.

Meaning of the quote

This quote means that Thackeray would prefer to create his own reputation and success rather than just rely on his family's fame and fortune. He wants to earn respect and recognition through his own hard work and achievements, not just by being born into a famous family. Thackeray believes it's more rewarding to build your own name and legacy than to simply inherit one.

About William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray was an acclaimed English novelist and illustrator known for his satirical works, especially the novel ‘Vanity Fair’ and ‘The Luck of Barry Lyndon’. Despite facing personal challenges, Thackeray rose to fame and is now considered one of the prominent authors of the Victorian era.

More about the author

More quotes from William Makepeace Thackeray

Bravery never goes out of fashion.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

People hate as they love, unreasonably.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

When you look at me, when you think of me, I am in paradise.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar, familiar things new.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

It is to the middle-class we must look for the safety of England.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Let a man who has to make his fortune in life remember this maxim: Attacking is the only secret. Dare and the world yields, or if it beats you sometimes, dare it again and you will succeed.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

‘Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

A clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

If a secret history of books could be written, and the author’s private thoughts and meanings noted down alongside of his story, how many insipid volumes would become interesting, and dull tales excite the reader!

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

A good laugh is sunshine in the house.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Despair is perfectly compatible with a good dinner, I promise you.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

When I walk with you I feel as if I had a flower in my buttonhole.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Follow your honest convictions and be strong.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

It is best to love wisely, no doubt; but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Do not be in a hurry to succeed. What would you have to live for afterwards? Better make the horizon your goal; it will always be ahead of you.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Dinner was made for eating, not for talking.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

It is only hope which is real, and reality is a bitterness and a deceit.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

I would rather make my name than inherit it.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

There are many sham diamonds in this life which pass for real, and vice versa.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Except for the young or very happy, I can’t say I am sorry for anyone who dies.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

I never knew whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

What money is better bestowed than that of a schoolboy’s tip? How the kindness is recalled by the recipient in after days! It blesses him that gives and him that takes.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

An evil person is like a dirty window, they never let the light shine through.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! what worthy man does not keep those in mind?

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

The book of female logic is blotted all over with tears, and Justice in their courts is forever in a passion.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Next to the young, I suppose the very old are the most selfish.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

Remember, it’s as easy to marry a rich woman as a poor woman.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)

People who do not know how to laugh are always pompous and self-conceited.

William Makepeace Thackeray

British novelist (1811-1863)