Oliver Goldsmith Quotes:

People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1835). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B.: With a Life and Notes”, p.86

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Change

I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.

source: - 1773 She Stoops to Conquer, act 1, sc.1.

Topics: Love, Friendship, Birthday, Stoops, Old Time

Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.

Topics: Motivational, Success, Perseverance, Perserverance, Inspirational Perseverance

Don't let us make imaginary evils, when you know we have so many real ones to encounter.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1842). “The Select Works of Oliver Goldsmith: In One Volume. With the Portrait of the Author..”, p.273

Topics: Real, Evil, Encounters, Stoops

Little things are great to little men.

source: - "The traveller. Or, a prospect of society". Poem by Oliver Goldsmith, 1764.

Topics: Men, Littles, Little Things, Little Man

Ridicule has always been the enemy of enthusiasm, and the only worthy opponent to ridicule is success.

Topics: Enemy, Opponents, Enthusiasm, Worthy Opponents

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Motivational

Ceremonies are different in every country, but true politeness is everywhere the same.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Henry George Bohn (1848). “Works: With a Life and Notes”, p.112

Topics: Country, Different, Ceremony

The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1837). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B.: To which is Prefixed Some Account of His Life and Writings”, p.5

Topics: Lasts, Found, Circumstances

Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.

Topics: Life, Travel, Journey, Accommodations, Life Journey

A man who leaves home to mend himself and others is a philosopher; but he who goes from country to country, guided by the blind impulse of curiosity, is a vagabond.

Topics: Country, Travel, Home, Travel And Tourism, Vagabonds

The mind is ever ingenious in making its own distress.

Topics: Science, Psychology, Mind

Hope is such a bait, it covers any hook.

Topics: Hope, Bait, Hook

Wealth accumulates, and men decay.

source: - The Deserted Village l. 51 (1770)

Topics: Men, Decay, Wealth, Stoops, Deserted

The ingratitude of the world can never deprive us of the conscious happiness of having acted with humanity ourselves.

Topics: Humanity, World, Conscious, Ingratitude

People seek within a short span of life to satisfy a thousand desires, each of which is insatiable.

Topics: People, Desire, Thousand

A traveler of taste will notice that the wise are polite all over the world, but the fool only at home.

Topics: Wise, Home, Taste

The true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them.

Topics: Want, Use, Speech, Use It Or Lose It

Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, Adorns and cheers our way; And still, as darker grows the night, Emits a brighter ray.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The works of Oliver Goldsmith. 1: Poetical works; Dramas; The vicar of Wakefield”, p.70

Topics: Hope, Cheer, Night, Ray Of Hope, New Hope

Whatever mitigates the woes, or increases the happiness of others, is a just criterion of goodness; and whatever injures society at large, or any individual in it, is a criterion of iniquity.

Topics: Individuality, Woe, Goodness

Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law.

source: - 'The Traveller' (1764) l. 386

Topics: Men, Law, Justice, Rich Man

Tenderness is a virtue.

source: - "The Good-Natur'd Man". Play by Oliver Goldsmith, 1768.

Topics: Virtue, Tenderness

You, that are going to be married, think things can never be done too fast: but we that are old, and know what we are about, must elope methodically, madam.

Topics: Marriage, Thinking, Done

Honour sinks where commerce long prevails.

Topics: Long, Commerce, Honour

Every absurdity has a champion to defend it.

Topics: Champion, Absurdity

Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.

Topics: Modesty, Virtue, Breasts, Stoops

Politeness is the result of good sense and good nature.

Topics: Results, Politeness, Good Nature

Silence gives consent.

Topics: Giving, Silence, Consent

Both wit and understanding are trifles without integrity. The ignorant peasant without fault is greater than the philosopher with many. What is genius or courage without a heart?

Topics: Integrity, Heart, Understanding

The best way to make your audience laugh is to start laughing yourself.

Topics: Laughing, Way, Audience

No one but a fool would measure their satisfaction by what the world thinks of it.

Topics: Thinking, Fool, World, Fools And Foolishness

A great source of calamity lies in regret and anticipation; therefore a person is wise who thinks of the present alone, regardless of the past or future.

Topics: Wise, Regret, Lying, Past Regrets, Have No Regrets

The little mind who loves itself, will wr'te and think with the vulgar; but the great mind will be bravely eccentric, and scorn the beaten road, from universal benevolence.

Topics: Thinking, Mind, Eccentric

The company of fools may first make us smile, but in the end we always feel melancholy.

Topics: Happiness, Smile, Laughter

True wisdom consists of tracing effects to their causes.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: The bee. Essays. Unacknowledged essays. Prefaces, introductions, etc”, p.426

Topics: Wisdom, Causes, Effects, True Wisdom, Tracing

All is not gold that glitters, Pleasure seems sweet, but proves a glass of bitters

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (2012). “She Stoops to Conquer”, p.12, Courier Corporation

Topics: Sweet, Glasses, Gold, Stoops

All that a husband or wife really wants is to be pitied a little, praised a little, and appreciated a little.

Topics: Husband, Wife, Wedding Toast

He who fights and runs away May live to fight another day.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1900*). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: The life of Oliver Goldsmith”

Topics: Running, Fighting, May, Great Race

Absence, like death, sets a seal on the image of those we love: we cannot realize the intervening changes which time may have effected.

Topics: Love, Change, Death, Intervening, Seals

A boy will learn more true wisdom in a public school in a year than by a private education in five. It is not from masters, but from their equals, that youth learn a knowledge of the world.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1834). “An inquiry into the present state of polite learning. The Bee. History of Cyrillo Padovano. Life of Dr. Parnell. Life of Lord Bolingbroke. Prefaces and introductions”, p.138

Topics: School, Boys, Years, True Wisdom

If we do not find happiness in the present moment, in what shall we find it?

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.157

Topics: Happiness, Moments, Ifs

They say women and music should never be dated.

source: - George Farquhar, Isaac Bickerstaffe, David Garrick, John Burgoyne, Benjamin Hoadly (1816). “The Recruiting Officer. A Comedy”

Topics: Geek, Conquer, Should

O friendship! thou fond soother of the human breast, to thee we fly in every calamity; to thee the wretched seek for succor; on thee the care-tired son of misery fondly relies; from thy kind assistance the unfortunate always hopes relief, and may be sure of--disappointment.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Miscellaneous Works: Letters from a citizen of the world, to his friend in the East. A familiar introduction to the study of natural history”, p.116

Topics: Friendship, Disappointment, Tired

The first time I read an excellent book, it is to me just as if I had gained a new friend. When I read a book over I have perused before, it resembles the meeting with an old one.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Sir James Prior (1837). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B.: Letters from a citizen of the world, to his friend in the East. A familiar introduction to the study of natural history”, p.335

Topics: Friendship, Book, Reading

The loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.

source: - 'The Deserted Village' (1770) l. 121.

Topics: Laughter, Laughing, Mind, Loud Laughter, Vacant

To a philosopher no circumstance, however trifling, is too minute.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1819). “The Citizen of the World; Or, Letters from a Chinese Philosopher, Residing in London, to His Friends in the East”, p.124

Topics: Philosophy, Philosopher, Minutes

We seldom speak of the virtue which we have, but much oftener of that which we lack.

Topics: Speak, Virtue

Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry.

Topics: Inspirational, Fortune, Industry

We are all sure of two things, at least; we shall suffer and we shall all die.

Topics: Destiny, Two, Suffering

The English laws punish vice; the Chinese laws do more, they reward virtue.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1794). “The Citizen of the World Or Letters from a Chinese Philosopher, Residing in London, to His Friend in the East”, p.33

Topics: Funny, Humor, Law, English Law

There is nothing magnanimous in bearing misfortunes with fortitude, when the whole world is looking on.... He who, without friends to encourage or even without hope to alleviate his misfortunes, can behave with tranquility and indifference, is truly great.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1825). “A History of the Earth: And Animated Nature”, p.870

Topics: Strength, World, Indifference, Without Friends, Magnanimous

Thus love is the most easy and agreeable, and gratitude the most humiliating, affection of the mind. We never reflect on the man we love without exulting in our choice, while he who has bound us to him by benefits alone rises to our ideas as a person to whom we have in some measure forfeited our freedom.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1852). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith: With an Account of His Life and Writings”, p.330

Topics: Gratitude, Love Is, Men

Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other.

Topics: Passion, Two, Pity

It has been well observed that few are better qualified to give others advice than those who have taken the least of it themselves.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Comprising His Poems, Comedies, Essays, and Vicar of Wakefield”, p.202

Topics: Taken, Giving, Advice

When a person has no need to borrow they find multitudes willing to lend.

Topics: Needs, Borrowing, Multitudes

Error is always talkative.

Topics: Errors, Talking, Talkative

In two opposite opinions, if one be perfectly reasonable, the other can't be perfectly right.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1837). “The Works ...”, p.216

Topics: Two, Opposites, Opinion, Two Opposites

Crimes generally punish themselves.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Poetical works. Dramas. The vicar of Wakefield”, p.192

Topics: Prison, Crime

The greatest object in the universe, says a certain philosopher, is a good man struggling with adversity; yet there is still a greater, which is the good man who comes to relieve it.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1816). “The Vicar of Wakefield”, p.176

Topics: Struggle, Adversity, Men

As ten millions of circles can never make a square, so the united voice of myriads cannot lend the smallest foundation to falsehood.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Comprising His Poems, Comedies, Essays, and Vicar of Wakefield”, p.397

Topics: Squares, Circles, Voice

Every acknowledgment of gratitude is a circumstance of humiliation; and some are found to submit to frequent mortifications of this kind, proclaiming what obligations they owe, merely because they think it in some measure cancels the debt.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1841). “Goldsmith's miscellaneous works”

Topics: Gratitude, Thinking, Debt

An Englishman fears contempt more than death.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Henry George Bohn (1848). “Works: With a Life and Notes”, p.13

Topics: Contempt, Englishmen

If one wishes to become rich they must appear rich.

Topics: Wish, Rich, Appearance

The first blow is half the battle.

source: - 'She Stoops to Conquer' (1773) act 2

Topics: Blow, Battle, Firsts

There is a greatness in being generous, and there is only simple justice in satisfying creditors. Generosity is the part of the soul raised above the vulgar.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Comprising His Poems, Comedies, Essays, and Vicar of Wakefield”, p.182

Topics: Simple, Greatness, Generosity, Being Generous

Ridicule has even been the most powerful enemy of enthusiasm, and properly the only antagonist that can be opposed to it with success.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.260

Topics: Powerful, Enemy, Enthusiasm, Antagonist

Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1898). “She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A Comedy ...”

Topics: Funny, Witty, Lying, Stoops

Write how you want, the critic shall show the world you could have written better.

Topics: Writing, Criticism, World

The soul may be compared to a field of battle, where the armies are ready every moment to encounter. Not a single vice but has a more powerful opponent, and not one virtue but may be overborne by a combination of vices.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1825). “Miscellaneous works”, p.189

Topics: Powerful, Army, Soul

One should not quarrel with a dog without a reason sufficient to vindicate one through all the courts of morality.

Topics: Dog, Morality, Reason

Friendship is made up of esteem and pleasure; pity is composed of sorrow and contempt: the mind may for some time fluctuate between them, but it can never entertain both at once.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1868). “The vicar of Wakefield, poems, and essays”, p.258

Topics: Friendship, Mind, Sorrow

Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.

source: - 'The Good-Natured Man' (1768) act 1

Topics: Love, Friendship, Real, Stoops, Disinterested

As boys should be educated with temperance, so the first greatest lesson that should be taught them is to admire frugality. It is by the exercise of this virtue alone they can ever expect to be useful members of society.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: The bee. Essays. Unacknowledged essays. Prefaces, introductions, etc”, p.171

Topics: Exercise, Boys, Lessons

Aromatic plants bestow no spicy fragrance while they grow; but crush'd or trodden to the ground, diffuse their balmy sweets around.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1849). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith: With an Account of His Life and Writings : Stereotyped from the Paris Edition : Complete in One Volume”, p.221

Topics: Crush, Sweet, Adversity, Spicy

Those who think must govern those that toil.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1818). “The poems and plays of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.16

Topics: Thinking, Toil

In all the silent manliness of grief.

source: - 'The Deserted Village' (1770) l. 384

Topics: Grief, Silence, Silent, Manliness

Silence is become his mother tongue.

source: - 'The Good-Natured Man' (1768) act 2

Topics: Mother, Silence, Tongue

If frugality were established in the state, and if our expenses were laid out to meet needs rather than superfluities of life, there might be fewer wants, and even fewer pleasures, but infinitely more happiness.

Topics: Life, Happiness, Inner Peace, Frugality

Were I to be angry at men being fools, I could here find ample room for declamation; but, alas! I have been a fool myself; and why should I be angry with them for being something so natural to every child of humanity?

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1835). “His Works”, p.168

Topics: Children, Men, Humanity, Declamation

Villainy, when detected, never gives up, but boldly adds impudence to imposture.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Enquiry into the present state of polite learning. The citizen of the world”, p.467

Topics: Giving Up, Add, Impudence, Villainy

There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue.

source: - 'The Good-Natured Man' (1768) act 1

Topics: Weed, Marijuana, Excellence

True generosity is a duty as indispensably necessary as those imposed upon us by the law. It is a rule imposed upon us by reason, which should be the sovereign law of a rational being.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The works of Oliver Goldsmith, ed. by P. Cunningham”, p.165

Topics: Law, Generosity, Sovereign, True Generosity

One man is born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and the other with a wooden ladle.

Topics: Men, Mouths, Spoons, Silver Spoons

I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well.

Topics: Anniversary, Wedding, Wife, Inspirational Wedding, Short Marriage

If you were to make little fishes talk, they would talk like whales.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1862). “Poetical Works”, p.80

Topics: Whales, Littles, Fishes

True genius walks along a line, and, perhaps, our greatest pleasure is in seeing it so often near falling, without being ever actually down.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Comprising His Poems, Comedies, Essays, and Vicar of Wakefield”, p.287

Topics: Fall, Genius, Lines, Greatest Pleasures

Prudery is ignorance.

Topics: Ignorance

I have known a German Prince with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nobleman with more names than shirts.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1819). “Citizen of the World”, p.238

Topics: Names, Society, Titles, Noblemen

Life at the greatest and best is but a froward child, that must be humored and coaxed a little till it falls asleep, and then all the care is over.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Sir James Prior (1851). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Including a Variety of Pieces Now First Collected”, p.197

Topics: Life, Children, Fall

To make a fine gentleman, several trades are required, but chiefly a barber.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The miscellaneous works of Oliver Goldsmith: including a variety of pieces now first collected”, p.23

Topics: Gentleman, Barbers, Fine

Let schoolmasters puzzle their brain, With grammar, and nonsense, and learning, Good liquor, I stoutly maintain, Gives genius a better discerning.

source: - 'She Stoops to Conquer' (1773) act 1, sc. 1, song

Topics: Giving, Brain, Intelligence, Liquor Stores, Discerning

It has been remarked that almost every character which has excited either attention or pity has owed part of its success to merit, and part to a happy concurrence of circumstances in its favor. Had Caesar or Cromwell exchanged countries, the one might have been a sergeant and the other an exciseman.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1819). “Essays and poems, by Dr. Oliver Goldsmith. To which are prefixed, memoirs of the author”, p.3

Topics: Country, Character, Favors, Concurrence, Cromwell

For just experience tells, in every soil, That those that think must govern those that toil.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1837). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M. B.: Including a Variety of Pieces”, p.27

Topics: Thinking, Justice, Toil

To be poor, and to seem poor, is a certain method never to rise.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1841). “Essays”, p.30

Topics: Poverty, Poor, Method

The dog, to gain some private ends, Went mad, and bit the man.

source: - "The Vicar of Wakefield" by Oliver Goldsmith, (Ch. 17), 1766.

Topics: Dog, Men, Mad, Elegy, Mad Dogs

The watch-dog's voice that bay'd the whispering wind, And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1858). “Goldsmith's Deserted village, with remarks on the analysis of sentences, exercises in parsing, notes ... and a life of the poet ... By Walter M'Leod”, p.61

Topics: Dog, Laughter, Wind, Vacant

A modest woman, dressed out in all her finery, is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (2012). “She Stoops to Conquer”, p.13, Courier Corporation

Topics: Creation, Modest, Whole

Our chief comforts often produce our greatest anxieties, and the increase in our possessions is but an inlet to new disquietudes.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1833). “Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith: With a New Life of the Author”, p.178

Topics: Anxiety, Simple Life, Comfort

Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse.

source: - 1766 The Vicar of Wakefield, ch.13.

Topics: Strength, Justice, Coward, Stoops

Sweet was the sound, when oft, at evening's close, Up yonder hill the village murmur rose; There as I passed, with careless steps and slow, The mingling notes came soften'd from below; The swain responsive as the milkmaid sung, The sober herd that low'd to meet their young; The noisy geese that gabbled o'er the pool, The playful children just let loose from school; The watch-dog's voice that bay'd the whispering wind, And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind; These all in sweet confusion sought the shade, And fill'd each pause the nightingale had made.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, “The Deserted VILLage”

Topics: Dog, Sweet, Children, Mingling

You will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or not merit of their own to depend on . . .

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: The bee. Essays. Unacknowledged essays. Prefaces, introductions, etc”, p.283

Topics: War, Merit, Littles

Take a dollar from a thousand and it will be a thousand no more.

Topics: Money, Dollars, Thousand

Measures, not men, have always been my mark.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1807). “The good natur'd man: a comedy, etc”, p.24

Topics: Men, Mark

If the soul be happily disposed, every thing becomes capable of affording entertainment, and distress will almost want a name.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1839). “Poems and essays”, p.104

Topics: Names, Soul, Entertainment, Affording

See me, how calm I am. Ay, people are generally calm at the misfortunes of others.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Richard Cumberland (1817*). “Comedy of She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night. By Dr. Goldsmith. Adapted for Theatrical Representation, as Performed at the Theatres-royal Covent-Garden and Drury-Lane ... with the Life of the Author, and a Critique, by R. Cumberland, Esq”, p.37

Topics: People, Calm, Calumny, Misfortunes Of Others

The nakedness of the indigent world may be clothed from the trimmings of the vain.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1823). “The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale”, p.271

Topics: World, May, Poverty, Trimming

In arguing one should meet serious pleading with humor, and humor with serious pleading.

Topics: Serious, Arguing, Argument, Pleading

Mortifications are often more painful than real calamities.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1855). “The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale”, p.65

Topics: Real, Painful, Shame

Blest that abode, where want and pain repair, And every stranger finds a ready chair.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1837). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M. B.: Including a Variety of Pieces”, p.14

Topics: Thank You, Pain, Want, Abode

It is not easy to recover an art when once lost.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Sir James Prior (1856). “The Miscellaneous Works: The bee. Essays. An inquiry into the present state of polite learning in Europe. Prefaces and introductions”, p.380

Topics: Art, Easy, Lost

A mind too vigorous and active, serves only to consume the body to which it is joined.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.144

Topics: Mind, Body, Active

Logicians have but ill defined As rational the human mind; Reason, they say, belongs to man, But let them prove it if they can.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1823). “The Vicar of Wakefield, Essays, and Poems”, p.500

Topics: Science, Men, Mind

He watched and wept and prayed and felt for all

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, “The Deserted VILLage”

Topics: Sympathy, Felt

Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see, My heart untravelled, fondly turns to thee; Still to my brother turns, with ceaseless pain, And drags at each remove a lengthening chain.

source: - 'The Traveller' (1764) l. 7

Topics: Missing You, Goodbye, Missing Someone, Goodbye My Love, Your Absence

Where wealth accumulates, men decay.

Topics: Men, Decay, Wealth

She who makes her husband and her children happy, who reclaims the one from vice, and trains up the other to virtue, is a much greater character than the ladies described in romance, whose whole occupation is to murder mankind with shafts from their quiver or their eyes.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1833). “Miscellaneous works of Oliver Goldsmith: with a new life of the author”, p.180

Topics: Children, Husband, Character, Romanticism

I have seen her and sister cry over a book for an hour together, and they said, they liked the book the better the more it made them cry.

source: - "She Stoops to Conquer".

Topics: Book, Tears, Cry

Our bounty, like a drop of water, disappears, when diffus'd too widely

Topics: Water, Disappear, Drop Of Water, Bounty

To aim at excellence, our reputation, and friends, and all must be ventured; to aim at the average we run no risk and provide little service.

Topics: Running, Average, Risk

Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.

source: - 1770 The Deserted Village, l.51-6.

Topics: Men, Land, Decay, Stoops

Whichever way we look the prospect is disagreeable. Behind, we have left pleasures we shall never enjoy, and therefore regret; and before, we see pleasures which we languish to possess, and are consequently uneasy till we possess them.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.157

Topics: Regret, Looks, Way, Languish

There is yet a silent agony in which the mind appears to disdain all external help, and broods over its distresses with gloomy reserve. This is the most dangerous state of mind; accidents or friendships may lessen the louder kinds of grief, but all remedies for this must be had from within, and there despair too often finds the most deadly enemy.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.342

Topics: Grief, Agony, Mind

Quality and title have such allurements that hundreds are ready to give up all their own importance, to cringe, to flatter, to look little, and to pall every pleasure in constraint, merely to be among the great, though without the least hopes of improving their understanding or sharing their generosity. They might be happier among their equals.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1849). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith: With an Account of His Life and Writings : Stereotyped from the Paris Edition : Complete in One Volume”, p.286

Topics: Giving Up, Generosity, Understanding, Ready To Give Up

I do not love a man who is zealous for nothing.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1845). “The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale”, p.96

Topics: Love, Men, Zealous

Fear guides more than gratitude.

Topics: Gratitude, Fear, Guides

Thou source of all my bliss and all my woe, That found'st me poor at first, and keep'st me so.

source: - 'The Deserted Village' (1770) l. 413 (on poetry)

Topics: Woe, Poverty, Firsts

An emperor in his nightcap will not meet with half the respect of an emperor with a crown.

Topics: Crowns, Half, Appearance, Nightcap

The way to acquire lasting esteem is not by the fewness of a writer's faults, but the greatness of his beauties, and our noblest works are generally most replete with both.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Henry George Bohn (1848). “Works: With a Life and Notes”, p.111

Topics: Greatness, Style, Way

Creation's heir, the world, the world is mine!

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1816). “Preface to Dr. Brooke's natural history. Introduction to a new History of the world. Preface to the Roman history. Preface to the History of England. Preface to An history of the earth. Preface to the Beauties of English poetry. Preface to a collection of poems for young ladies, devotional, moral, and entertaining. Dr. Aikin's Critical dissertation on the poetry of Dr. Goldsmith. Poems. Dramatic : The good-natur'd man. She stoops to conquer”, p.116

Topics: World, Heirs, Creation

Philosophy can add to our happiness in no other manner but by diminishing our misery; it should not pretend to increase our present stock, but make us economists of what we are possessed of. Happy were we all born philosophers; all born with a talent of thus dissipating our own cares by spreading them upon all mankind.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “Enquiry into the present state of polite learning. The citizen of the world”, p.234

Topics: Philosophy, Care, Add

We sometimes had those little rubs which Providence sends to enhance the value of its favors.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1845). “The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale”, p.2

Topics: Favors, Littles, Sometimes

The ambitious are forever followed by adulation for they receive the most pleasure from flattery.

Topics: Ambition, Forever, Ambitious, Adulation

When any one of our relations was found to be a person of a very bad character, a troublesome guest, or one we desired to get rid of, upon his leaving my house I ever took care to lend him a riding-coat, or a pair of boots, or sometimes a horse of small value, and I always had the satisfaction of finding he never came back to return them.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1828). “The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale ...”, p.7

Topics: Horse, Character, House, Bad Character, House Guests

I hate the French because they are all slaves and wear wooden shoes.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The bee. Essays. Unacknowledged essays. Prefaces, Introductions, etc”, p.245

Topics: Hate, Shoes, France, Wooden Shoes

Filial obedience is the first and greatest requisite of a state; by this we become good subjects to our emperors, capable of behaving with just subordination to our superiors, and grateful dependents on heaven; by this we become fonder of marriage, in order to be capable of exacting obedience from others in our turn; by this we become good magistrates, for early submission is the truest lesson to those who would learn to rule. By this the whole state may be said to resemble one family.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1857). “Miscellaneous Works Including a Variety of Pieces Now First Collected by James Prior”, p.176

Topics: Grateful, Order, Heaven, Filial

Well had the boding tremblers learn'd to trace The day's disasters in his morning face; Full well they laugh'd with counterfeited glee At all his jokes, for many a joke had he; Full well the busy whisper circling round Convey'd the dismal tidings when he frown'd. Yet was he kind, or if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault; The village all declar'd how much he knew, 'Twas certain he could write and cipher too.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, “The Deserted VILLage”

Topics: Morning, Laughter, Writing, Ciphers, Tidings

What real good does an addition to a fortune already sufficient procure? Not any. Could the great man, by having his fortune increased, increase also his appetites, then precedence might be attended with real amusement.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Miscellaneous Works: Letters from a citizen of the world, to his friend in the East. A familiar introduction to the study of natural history”, p.269

Topics: Real, Men, Might

The premises being thus settled, I proceed to observe that the concatenation of self-existence, proceeding in a reciprocal duplicate ratio, naturally produces a problematical dialogism, which in some measure proves that the essence of spirituality may be referred to the second predicable.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Carl Theodor von KERSTEN (1857). “Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield employed as a means of reading made easy without any alteration of orthography ... By Charles Theodor von Kersten”, p.69

Topics: Self, Essence, May, Duplicate

The genteel thing is the genteel thing any time, if as be that a gentleman bees in a concatenation accordingly.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.222

Topics: Time, Gentleman, Bees

As for disappointing them I should not so much mind; but I can't abide to disappoint myself.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1871). “The works of Oliver Goldsmith: Vicar of Wakefield, select poems and comedies, with intr., notes and a life by J.F. Waller”, p.248

Topics: Disappointment, Mind, Disappointing

Remote, unfriended, melancholy, slow, Or by the lazy Scheld or wandering Po.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1825). “A History of the Earth: And Animated Nature”, p.843

Topics: Lazy, Laziness, Melancholy

The bounds of a man's knowledge are easily concealed, if he has but prudence.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.250

Topics: Men, Cunning, Prudence

I have found by experience that they who have spent all their lives in cities contract not only an effeminacy of habit, but of thinking.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1834). “An inquiry into the present state of polite learning. The Bee. History of Cyrillo Padovano. Life of Dr. Parnell. Life of Lord Bolingbroke. Prefaces and introductions”, p.136

Topics: Thinking, Cities, Habit

The volume of Nature is the book of knowledge.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1801). “The Beauties of Goldsmith”, p.108

Topics: Nature, Book, Volume

A kind and gentle heart he had, To comfort friends and foes; The naked every day he clad When he put on his clothes.

source: - 'Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog'

Topics: Kindness, Heart, Clothes

And what is friendship but a name, A charm that lulls to sleep, A shade that follows wealth or fame, And leaves the wretch to weep?

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1825). “A History of the Earth: And Animated Nature”, p.856

Topics: Sleep, Names, Shade, Lulls

Near yonder copse, where once the garden smil'd, And still where many a garden flower grows wild, There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose, The village preacher's modest mansion rose. A man he was to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year; Remote from town's he ran his godly race, Nor e'er had chang'd nor wish'd to change his place; Unskilful he to fawn, or seek for power, By doctrines fashion'd to the varying hour; Far other aims his heart had learn'd to prize. More bent to raise the wretched than to rise.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Miscellaneous Works: Poems. Miscellaneous pieces. Dramas. Criticism relating to poetry and the belles-lettres”, p.69

Topics: Country, Fashion, Flower, Shrubs, Fawns

How wide the limits stand Between a splendid and a happy land.

source: - 'The Deserted Village' (1770) l. 267

Topics: Land, Limits, Splendid

I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects too. No, sir, these, I protest you, are too hard for me.

source: - The Vicar of Wakefield ch. 7 (1766)

Topics: Want, Argument, Intellect

They please, are pleas'd, they give to get esteem Till, seeming blest, they grow to what they seem.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Samuel Rose, Thomas Percy, Thomas Campbell (1821). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B..”, p.38

Topics: Ambition, Giving, Please

Taste is the power of relishing or rejecting whatever is offered for the entertainment of the imagination.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.294

Topics: Imagination, Taste, Entertainment

And the weak soul, within itself unbless'd, Leans for all pleasure on another's breast.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson, William Shenstone (1861). “Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson and William Shenstone”, p.9

Topics: Soul, Weakness, Pleasure

While selfishness joins hands with no one of the virtues, benevolence is allied to them all.

Topics: Hands, Selfishness, Virtue

This same philosophy is a good horse in the stable, but an arrant jade on a journey.

source: - 'The Good-Natured Man' (1768) act 1

Topics: Horse, Philosophy, Journey, Good Horse, Jade

Trade's proud empire hastes to swift decay.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1871). “The works of Oliver Goldsmith: Vicar of Wakefield, select poems and comedies, with intr., notes and a life by J.F. Waller”, p.209

Topics: Business, Haste, Decay

Nobody with me at sea but myself.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Comprising His Poems, Comedies, Essays, and Vicar of Wakefield”, p.24

Topics: Sea, Solitude

Philosophy ... should not pretend to increase our present stock, but make us economists of what we are possessed of.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “Enquiry into the present state of polite learning. The citizen of the world”, p.234

Topics: Philosophy, Increase, Should

In all my wanderings round this world of care, In all my griefs-and God has given my share- I still had hopes my latest hours to crown, Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Poetical works. Dramas. The vicar of Wakefield”, p.42

Topics: Hope, Grief, Humble

I was ever of the opinion, that the honest man who married and brought up a large family, did more service than he who continued single, and only talked of population.

source: - 'The Vicar of Wakefield' (1766) ch. 1

Topics: Men, Population, Opinion, Large Family

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the least manageable and the most likely to stray from the course. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate ones.

Topics: Life, Race, Ability, Allusion

Careless their merits or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And even his failings lean'd to Virtue's side.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1867). “The Poetical Works”, p.58

Topics: Pride, Charity, Faults

Unequal combinations are always disadvantageous to the weaker side.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1809). “The miscellaneous works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.76

Topics: Business, Sides, Combination

When lovely woman stoops to folly, and finds too late that men betray, what charm can soothe her melancholy, what art can wash her guilt away?

source: - The Vicar of Wakefield ch. 29 (1766)

Topics: Love, Art, Betrayal, Lovely Woman

Turn, gentle Hermit of the Dale, And guide my lonely way To where yon taper cheers the vale With hospitable ray.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1841). “Goldsmith's miscellaneous works”, p.5

Topics: Lonely, Cheer, Loneliness

Whatever be the motives which induce men to write,--whether avarice or fame,--the country becomes more wise and happy in which they most serve for instructors.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.210

Topics: Wise, Country, Writing

The person whose clothes are extremely fine I am too apt to consider as not being possessed of any superiority of fortune, but resembling those Indians who are found to wear all the gold they have in the world in a bob at the nose.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The works of Oliver Goldsmith. 2: Enquiry into the present state of polite learning; The citizen of the world”, p.259

Topics: Clothes, Gold, Bob

I fancy the character of a poet is in every country the same,--fond of enjoying the present, careless of the future; his conversation that of a man of sense, his actions those of a fool.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1835). “His Works”, p.241

Topics: Country, Character, Men

Popular glory is a perfect coquette; her lovers must toil, feel every inquietude, indulge every caprice, and perhaps at last be jilted into the bargain. True glory, on the other hand, resembles a woman of sense; her admirers must play no tricks. They feel no great anxiety, for they are sure in the end of being rewarded in proportion to their merit.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Comprising His Poems, Comedies, Essays, and Vicar of Wakefield”, p.193

Topics: Hands, Play, Perfect, Jilted

There is nothing so absurd or ridiculous that has not at some time been said by some philosopher.

Topics: Cynical, Ridiculous, Philosopher

The heart of every man lies open to the shafts of correction if the archer can take proper aim.

Topics: Lying, Archer, Heart, Correcting, Corrections

Girls like to be played with and rumpled a little too sometimes.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1834). “Life. Commendatory verses. Poems. Plays. Letters. Memorandums of agreement between Dr. Goldsmith and Thomas Davies, bookseller”, p.284

Topics: Girl, Mom, Daughter, Baby Girl

The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowded with fruition.

Topics: Hope, Future, Views, Prospects

Like the bee, we should make our industry our amusement.

Topics: Work, Amusement, Bees

Here lies David Garrick, describe me who can, An abridgment of all that was pleasant in man.

source: - 'Retaliation' (1774) l. 93

Topics: Lying, Men, Describe Me

Man seems the only growth that dwindles here.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson, William Shenstone (1861). “Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson and William Shenstone”, p.6

Topics: Men, Growth, Seems

And fools who came to scoff remain'd to pray.

source: - The Deserted Village l. 179 (1770)

Topics: Fool, Praying

Who pepper'd the highest was surest to please.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson, William Shenstone (1861). “Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson and William Shenstone”, p.31

Topics: Peppers, Callous, Please

The life of a scholar seldom abounds with adventure.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.475

Topics: Adventure, Scholar

Fancy restrained may be compared to a fountain, which plays highest by diminishing the aperture.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1820). “Letters from a citizen of the world, to his friends in the East”, p.154

Topics: Play, May, Fancy, Aperture

Man little knows what calamities are beyond his patience to bear till he tries them; as in ascending the heights of ambition, which look bright from below, every step we rise shows us some new and gloomy prospect of hidden disappointment; so in our descent from the summits of pleasure, though the vale of misery below may appear, at first, dark and gloomy, yet the busy mind, still attentive to its own amusement, finds, as we descend, something to flatter and to please. Still as we approach, the darkest objects appear to brighten, and the mortal eye becomes adapted to its gloomy situation.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Poetical works. Dramas. The vicar of Wakefield”, p.376

Topics: Disappointment, Ambition, Eye

I learn several great truths; as that it is impossible to see into the ways of futurity, that punishment always attends the villain, that love is the fond soother of the human breast.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Enquiry into the present state of polite learning. The citizen of the world”, p.407

Topics: Love Is, Punishment, Experience

Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, I see the lords of humankind pass by.

source: - 'The Traveller' (1764) l. 327

Topics: Eye, Pride, Lord

By every remove I only drag a greater length of chain.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Henry George Bohn (1848). “Works: With a Life and Notes”, p.10

Topics: Length, Chains, Drag

The youth who follows his appetites too soon seizes the cup, before it has received its best ingredients, and by anticipating his pleasures, robs the remaining parts of life of their share, so that his eagerness only produces manhood of imbecility and an age of pain.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1816). “A History of the Earth, and Animated Nature”, p.399

Topics: Pain, Age, Cups, Imbecility

The more various our artificial necessities, the wider is our circle of pleasure; for all pleasure consists in obviating necessities as they rise; luxury, therefore, as it increases our wants, increases our capacity for happiness

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1835). “His Works”, p.30

Topics: Circles, Luxury, Want

Amid thy desert-walks the lapwing flies, And tires their echoes with unvaried cries.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson, William Shenstone (1861). “Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson and William Shenstone”, p.16

Topics: Echoes, Desert, Cry

Thus 'tis with all; their chief and constant care Is to seem everything but what they are.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith, David Masson (1869). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith”, p.683

Topics: Hypocrisy, Care, Chiefs

Aspiring beggary is wretchedness itself.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1816). “The Vicar of Wakefield”, p.10

Topics: Wretchedness, Beggary

For the first time, the best may err, art may persuade, and novelty spread out its charms. The first fault is the child of simplicity; but every other the offspring of guilt.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1840). “The vicar of Wakefield, accentuirt mit Wörterbuche von K.R. Schaub”, p.89

Topics: Art, Children, Simplicity, Offspring

What if in Scotland's wilds we viel'd our head, Where tempests whistle round the sordid bed; Where the rug's two-fold use we might display, By night a blanket, and a plaid by day.

Topics: Home, Night, Scotland, Plaid

The sports of children satisfy the child.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1854). “The works of Oliver Goldsmith, ed. by P. Cunningham”, p.11

Topics: Sports, Children

It is impossible to combat enthusiasm with reason; for though it makes a show of resistance, it soon eludes the pressure, refers you to distinctions not to be understood, and feelings which it cannot explain. A man who would endeavor to fix an enthusiast by argument might as well attempt to spread quicksilver with his finger.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1837). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M. B.: Including a Variety of Pieces”, p.432

Topics: Men, Feelings, Might

Error is ever talkative.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1863). “The Poetical Works ...: And The Vicar of Wakefield ...”, p.14

Topics: Errors, Talkative

Fine declamation does not consist in flowery periods, delicate allusions of musical cadences, but in a plain, open, loose style, where the periods are long and obvious, where the same thought is often exhibited in several points of view.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Works of Oliver Goldsmith: Comprising His Poems, Comedies, Essays, and Vicar of Wakefield”, p.281

Topics: Views, Long, Musical, Declamation, Allusion

Blest be those feasts, with simple plenty crowned, Where all the ruddy family around Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1837). “The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M. B.: Including a Variety of Pieces”, p.14

Topics: Simple, Laughing, Failing

But me, not destined such delights to share, My prime of life in wandering spent and care; Impell'd, with steps unceasing, to pursue Some fleeting good, that mocks me with the view That, like the circle bounding earth and skies, Allures from far, yet, as I follow, flies; My fortune leads to traverse reams alone, And find no spot of all the world my own.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1841). “Goldsmith's miscellaneous works”, p.2

Topics: Views, Sky, Circles, Allure, Earth And Sky

In a polite age almost every person becomes a reader, and receives more instruction from the Press than the Pulpit.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1834). “The miscellaneous works of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B.: with a biographical memoir of the author, written expressly for this edition”, p.219

Topics: Reading, Age, Instruction

With disadvantages enough to bring him to humility, a Scotsman is one of the proudest things alive.

Topics: Humility, Alive, Enough, Disadvantaged, Scotsmen

This is that eloquence the ancients represented as lightning, bearing down every opposer; this the power which has turned whole assemblies into astonishment, admiration and awe- - that is described by the torrent, the flame, and every other instance of irresistible impetuosity.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1856). “The Miscellaneous Works: The bee. Essays. An inquiry into the present state of polite learning in Europe. Prefaces and introductions”, p.131

Topics: Flames, Lightning, Astonishment, Opposers

Alike all ages. Dames of ancient days Have led their children through the mirthful maze, And the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore, Has frisk'd beneath the burden of threescore.

source: - Oliver Goldsmith (1871). “The works of Oliver Goldsmith: Vicar of Wakefield, select poems and comedies, with intr., notes and a life by J.F. Waller”, p.222

Topics: Children, Gay, Skills