Many a wretch has rid on a hurdle who has done less mischief than these utterers of forged tales, coiners of scandal, and clippers of reputation.
RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, The School for Scandal
A tale of scandal is as fatal to the credit of a prudent lady of her stamp, as a fever is generally to those of the strongest constitutions. But there is a sort of puny, sickly reputation, that is always ailing, yet will outlive the robuster character of a hundred prudes.
RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, The School for Scandal
In all cases of slander currency, whenever the forger of the lie is not to be found, the injured parties should have a right to come on any of the endorsers.
RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, attributed, Prose Quotations from Socrates to Macaulay
Sheer necessity -- the proper parent of an art so nearly allied to invention.
RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, The Critic
There are a set of malicious, prating, prudent gossips, both male and female, who murder characters to kill time, and will rob a young fellow of his good name before he has years to know the value of it.
RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, The School for Scandal
Though I never scruple a lie to serve my Master, it hurts one's conscience to be found out!
