Oliver Goldsmith Quotes
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In a polite age almost every person becomes a reader, and receives more instruction from the Press than the Pulpit.
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Pity, though it may often relieve, is but, at best, a short-lived passion, and seldom affords distress more than transitory assistance; with some it scarce lasts from the first impulse till the hand can be put into the pocket.
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If you were to make little fishes talk, they would talk like whales.
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So the loud torrent and the whirlwind's roarBut bind him to his native mountains more.
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The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowded with fruition.
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Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.
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Could a man live by it, it were not unpleasant employment to be a poet.
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A nightcap decked his brows instead of bay,A cap by night — a stocking all the day!
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On the stage he was natural, simple, affecting, 'Twas only when he was off, he was acting.
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Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt;It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.
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There are but few talents requisite to become a popular preacher; for the people are easily pleased if they perceive any endeavors in the orator to please them. The meanest qualifications will work this effect if the preacher sincerely sets about it.
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Honour sinks where commerce long prevails.
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I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.
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Man wants but little here below, nor wants that little long.
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You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
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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.
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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.
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I can't say whether we had more wit among us now than usual, but I am certain we had more laughing, which answered the end as well.
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The man recovered of the bite,The dog it was that died.
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Unknown those powers that raise the soul to flame,Catch every nerve, and vibrate through the frame.Their level life is but a mouldering fire,Unquenched by want, unfanned by strong desire.
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Ceremonies are different in every country, but true politeness is everywhere the same.
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We modest Gentlemen don't want for much success among the women.
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Girls like to be played with, and rumpled a little too, sometimes.
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Those who place their affections at first on trifles for amusement, will find these trifles become at last their most serious concerns.