"Plainness" Quotes from Famous Books
 ... the text, relating to his saying that he wished "to be visited on no other footing than as a gentleman who led a life of plainness and simplicity", is common to all writers on the subject of Congreve, and appears in the English version of Voltaire's Letters concerning the English Nation, published in London, 1733, as also in Goldsmith's Memoir of Voltaire. But it is worthy of remark, that it does not appear in the text ...
— Henry Esmond; The English Humourists; The Four Georges • William Makepeace Thackeray
... "neither a matchmaker, especially for adventurers, nor a scheming politician, and on both grounds I decline to have anything to do with you. Your insistence compels me to speak with a plainness which I would rather have avoided, but you must blame yourself. It's a far cry to Loch Awe, and a farther cry to the pardon of the Black Colonel, but he thinks it might be contrived if he had Marget Forbes and her property for a trump card. A pretty scheme, but not one ...
— The Black Colonel • James Milne
... listening as still as mice. There has been a great row about Tyndall's address, and I had some reason to expect that I should have to meet a frantically warlike audience. But it was quite otherwise, and though I spoke my mind with very great plainness, I never had a warmer reception. And I am not without hope that I have done something to allay the storm, though, as you may be sure, I did not sacrifice plain speaking to that end...I have been most creditably quiet here, and have gone to no dinners or breakfasts or other such ...
— The Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley Volume 2 • Leonard Huxley
... genius for business, and falling into the acquaintance of my Lord Ranelagh, when tutor to my Lord Hyde, he was sent into Flanders as paymaster to the English troops there. ... He is a gentleman of very clear parts, and affects plainness and simplicity [Swift, au contraire] in his dress, and conversation especially. He is a favourite to both parties [Swift, to neither]; and is beloved for his easy access, and affable way by those he has business to do with. He is a thin, tall man, [Swift, ...
— The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. X. • Jonathan Swift
... the road was thronged by multitudes of people, many dressed in a style which is called Tsubo-Shozok. Many of great age prostrated themselves in an attitude of adoration, and many others, notwithstanding their natural plainness, looked almost blooming, from the joy expressed in their countenances—nay, even nuns and aged women, from their retreats, were to be seen amongst them. Numerous carriages were also squeezed closely ...
— Japanese Literature - Including Selections from Genji Monogatari and Classical - Poetry and Drama of Japan • Various
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