The Anglo-Irish poet, dramatist, novelist, and essayist Oliver Goldsmith wrote, translated, or compiled more than 40 volumes. The works for which he is remembered are marked by good sense, moderation, balance, order, and intellectual honesty.
Before turning to writing, he held many positions, including that of a physician in Southwark, England.
A book may be amusing with numerous errors, or it may be very dull,without a single absurdity.
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.
Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to,prevent, it seldom has justice enough to accuse.
Sincerity--a silent address.
Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines.
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.
Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse.
Hope, like the gleaming taper’s light, adorns and cheers our way; and still, as darker grows the night, emits a brighter ray.
…The more enormous our wealth, the more extensive our fears, all our possessions are paled up with new edicts every day, and hung round with gibbets to scare every invader.
They may talk of a comet, or a burning mountain, or some such bagatelle; but to me a modest woman, dressed out in all her finery, is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.
Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.
Conscience is a coward and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse.
He who fights and runs away May live to fight another day. But he who is in battle slain Can never rise to fight again.
Philosophy . . . should not pretend to increase our present stock but make us economists of what we are possessed of.
To make a fine gentleman several trades are required but chiefly a barber.
The English laws punish vice the Chinese laws do more they reward virtue.
Laws grind the poor and rich men rule the law.
People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after.
And still they gazed and still the wonder grew That one small head should carry all it knew.
Man wants but little here below nor wants that little long.
Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry.
Man wants but little here below Nor wants that little long.
Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.
The very pink of perfection.
Philosophy is a good horse in the stable but an errant jade on a journey.
The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition.
People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy.
Man wants but little here below Nor wants that little long.
A modest woman dressed out in all her finery is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.
If you were to make little fishes talk they would talk like whales.
Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry.
Hope is such a bait, it covers any hook.
The best way to make your audience laugh is to start laughing yourself.
Romance and novel paint beauty in colors more charming than nature, and describe a happiness that humans never taste. How deceptive and destructive are those pictures of consummate bliss!,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.
All that a husband or wife really wants is to be pitied a little, praised a little, and appreciated a little.
Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other.
Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.
The company of fools may first make us smile, but in the end we always feel melancholy.
Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.
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.
I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well. .
