Envy is the most universal passion. We only pride ourselves on the qualities we possess, or think we possess; but we envy the pretensions we have, and those which we have not, and do not even wish for. We envy the greatest qualities and every trifling advantage. We envy the most ridiculous appearance or affectation of superiority. We envy folly and conceit; nay, we go so far as to envy whatever confers distinction of notoriety, even vice and infamy.
Universities incline wits to sophistry and affectation.
Chopin's rubato possessed an unshakeable emotional logic. It always justified itself by a strengthening or weakening melodic line, by exaggeration or affectation.
The affectation of sanctity is a blotch on the face of piety.
We are made ridiculous less by our defects than by the affectation of qualities which are not ours.
I have no affectation when I speak
Paltry affectation, strained allusions, and disgusting finery are easily attained by those who choose to wear them; they are but too frequently the badges of ignorance or of stupidity, whenever it would endeavor to please.
I'm a religious woman. And I feel I have responsibility. I have no modesty at all. I'm even afraid of it - it's a learned affectation and it's just stuck on me like decals. Now I pray for humility because that comes from inside out.
A gentleman has ease without familiarity, is respectful without meanness; genteel without affectation, insinuating without seeming art.
The only source of the true Ridiculous (as it appears to me) is affectation
There seems to be a strange affectation in authors of appearing to have done everything by chance.
There is a pleasure in affecting affectation.
Affectation hides three times as many virtues as charity does sins.
All affectation; 'tis my perfect scorn; Object of my implacable disgust.
Our sex bears the disgrace not only of a great deal of genuine poltroonery, but also of much which is mere affectation.
Affectation is the product of falsehood.
One of the best temporary cures for pride and affectation is seasickness; a man who wants to vomit never puts on airs.
Affectation is as necessary to the mind as dress is to the body.
Learned conversation is either the affectation of the ignorant or the profession of the mentally unemployed.
All affectation is the vain and ridiculous attempt of poverty to appear rich
