Oliver Goldsmith Quotes (212 Quotes)


    The work of eradicating crimes is not by making punishment familiar, but formidable.

    For he that fights and runs away, may live to fight another day, but he, who is in battle slain, can never rise and fight again.


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



    Her love was sought, I do aver,
    By twenty beaux and more;
    The king himself has followed her,-
    When she has walked before.

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

    Of all kinds of ambition, that which pursues poetical fame is the wildest.

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

    That dire disease, whose ruthless power Withers the beauty's transient flower.

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


    Man wants but little here below, nor wants that little long.


    Vain, very vain, my weary search to find That bliss which only centres in the mind.

    A flattering painter, who made it his care To draw men as they ought to be, not as they are.


    While Resignation gently slopes away, And all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere the world be past.

    Even children follow'd with endearing wile, And pluck'd his gown, to share the good man's smile.

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

    I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellect too.

    And as a bird each fond endearment tries To tempt its new-fledg'd offspring to the skies, He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay, Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way.

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

    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.

    To begin with Ireland, the most western part of the continent, the natives are peculiarly remarkable for their gaiety and levity of their disposition the English, transplanted there, in time lose their serious melancholy air, and become gay and tho.

    Trade's unfeeling train Usurp the land and dispossess the swain.


    As writers become more numerous, it is natural for readers to become more indolent; whence must necessarily arise a desire of attaining knowledge with the greatest possible ease.


    Our pleasures are short, and can only charm at intervals love is a method of protraction our greatest pleasure.

    How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labour with an age of ease.

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

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

    Be not affronted at a joke. If one throw salt at thee, thou wilt receive no harm, unless thou art raw.

    His best companions, innocence and health And his best riches, ignorance of wealth.

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

    Through torrid tracts with fainting steps they go, Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe.

    Our Garrick 's a salad for in him we see Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree.

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


    There is an unspeakable pleasure attending the life of A voluntary student.

    Such is the patriot's boast, wherever we roam, His first, best country ever is, at home.

    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.



    The weakest soul, within itself unblest, Leans for all pleasure on another's breast

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


    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.

    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.


    More Oliver Goldsmith Quotations (Based on Topics)


    Man - Mind - Life - Vice & Virtue - Love - Philosophy - Money & Wealth - Happiness - Time - World - Friendship - Education - Pleasure - Past - Curiosity - Dogs - Art - Wisdom & Knowledge - Sadness - View All Oliver Goldsmith Quotations

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