Discover a wealth of wisdom and insight from Oliver Goldsmith through their most impactful and thought-provoking quotes and sayings. Expand your perspective with their inspiring words and share these beautiful Oliver Goldsmith quote pictures with your friends and followers on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog - all free of charge. We've compiled the top 351 Oliver Goldsmith quotes for you to explore and share with others.

Her modest looks the cottage might adorn, Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn. By Oliver Goldsmith Sweet Adorn Thorn Modest Cottage

I always get the better when I argue alone. By Oliver Goldsmith Argue

Why was this heart of mine formed with so much sensibility! Or why not my fortune adapted to its impulses! Tenderness without a capacity of relieving only makes the man who feels it more wretched than the object which sues for assistance. By Oliver Goldsmith Sensibility Heart Mine Formed Impulses

Villainy, when detected, never gives up, but boldly adds impudence to imposture. By Oliver Goldsmith Villainy Detected Imposture Boldly Adds

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Reason Resistance Pressure Refers Understood

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Alike Ages Dames Maze Grandsire

There is one way by which a strolling player may be ever secure of success; that is, in our theatrical way of expressing it, to make a great deal of the character. To speak and act as in common life is not playing, nor is it what people come to see; natural speaking, like sweet wine, runs glibly over the palate and scarcely leaves any taste behind it; but being high in a part resembles vinegar, which grates upon the taste, and one feels it while he is drinking. By Oliver Goldsmith Success Character Strolling Player Secure

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Character Guest Ridingcoat Boots Relations

And e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart distrusting asks if this be joy. By Oliver Goldsmith Decoy Joy Een Fashion Brightest

In all my wanderings through 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;To husband out life's taper at the close,And keep the flame from wasting, by repose:I still had hopes, for pride attends us still,Amidst the swains to show my book-learn'd skill,Around my fire an evening group to draw,And tell of all I felt, and all I saw;And, as a hare, whom hounds and horns pursue,Pants to the place from whence at first she flew,I still had hopes, my long vexations past,Here to return and die at home at last. By Oliver Goldsmith Hopes God Wasting Repose Felt

Whenever you see a gaming table be sure to know fortune is not there. Rather she is always in the company of industry. By Oliver Goldsmith Gaming Table Fortune Industry Company

The company of fools may first make us smile, but in the end we always feel melancholy. By Oliver Goldsmith Smile Melancholy Company Fools Make

Blest be that spot, where cheerful guests retireTo pause from toil, and trim their evening fire;Blest that abode, where want and pain repair,And every stranger finds a ready chairBlest be those feasts with simple plenty crown'd,Where all the ruddy family aroundLaugh at the jest or pranks, that never fail,Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale,Or press the bashful stranger to his food,And learn the luxury of doing good. By Oliver Goldsmith Blest Stranger Spot Toil Fire

My friends, my children, and fellow sufferers, when I reflect on thedistribution of good and evil here below, I find that much has beengiven man to enjoy, yet still more to suffer. Though we should examinethe whole world, we shall not find one man so happy as to have nothingleft to wish for; but we daily see thousands who by suicide shew us theyhave nothing left to hope. In this life then it appears that we cannotbe entirely blest; but yet we may be completely miserable! By Oliver Goldsmith Friends Children Sufferers Enjoy Suffer

Thus 'tis with all; their chief and constant care Is to seem everything but what they are. By Oliver Goldsmith Tis Chief Constant Care

To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm, than all the gloss of art. By Oliver Goldsmith Dear Congenial Heart Charm Art

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Fortitude Misfortunes Magnanimous Bearing World

In my time, the follies of the town crept slowly among us, but now they travel faster than a stagecoach. By Oliver Goldsmith Time Stagecoach Follies Town Crept

What cities, as great as this, have ... promised themselves immortality! Posterity can hardly trace the situation of some. The sorrowful traveller wanders over the awful ruins of others ... Here stood their citadel, but now grown over with weeds; there their senate-house, but now the haunt of every noxious reptile; temples and theatres stood here, now only an undistinguished heap of ruins. By Oliver Goldsmith Cities Great Ruins Stood Promised

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Philosophy Misery Stock Add Happiness

He who fights and runs away May live to fight another day; But he who is battle slain Can never rise to fight again By Oliver Goldsmith Day Fight Runs Live Battle

Good counsel rejected returns to enrich the givers bosom. By Oliver Goldsmith Good Bosom Counsel Rejected Returns

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Popular Coquette Toil Inquietude Indulge

A French woman is a perfect architect in dress: she never, with Gothic ignorance, mixes the orders; she never tricks out a snobby Doric shape with Corinthian finery; or, to speak without metaphor, she conforms to general fashion only when it happens not to be repugnant to private beauty. By Oliver Goldsmith French Gothic Doric Corinthian Dress

All that philosophy can teach is to be stubborn or sullen under misfortunes. By Oliver Goldsmith Misfortunes Philosophy Teach Stubborn Sullen

The whitewash'd wall, the nicely sanded floor, The varnish'd clock that click'd behind the door; The chest, contriv'd a double debt to pay,- A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day. By Oliver Goldsmith Chest Wall Floor Door Contriv

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Agreeable Humiliating Affection Mind Love

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Quality Importance Cringe Flatter Constraint

But times are alter'd; trade's unfeeling trainUsurp the land, and dispossess the swain;Along the lawn, where scatter'd hamlets rose,Unwieldy wealth and cumbrous pomp repose. By Oliver Goldsmith Alter Trade Land Swain Lawn

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Scotland Head Bed Display Blanket

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Sweet Sound Oft Rose Passed

Religion does what philosophy could never do; it shows the equal dealings of Heaven to the happy and the unhappy, and levels all human enjoyments to nearly the same standard. It gives to both rich and poor the same happiness hereafter, and equal hopes to aspire after it. By Oliver Goldsmith Heaven Religion Unhappy Standard Equal

Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind; Though fraught with all learning, yet straining his throat To persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote. Who too deep for his hearers still went on refining, And thought of convincing while they thought of dining: Though equal to all things, for all things unfit; Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit. By Oliver Goldsmith Tommy Townshend Born Universe Narrow

Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog And in that town a dog was found, As many dogs there be, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, And curs of low degree. By Oliver Goldsmith Puppy Whelp Death Mad Dog

Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam,His first best country ever is at home. By Oliver Goldsmith Boast Whereer Home Patriot Roamhis

Prudery is ignorance. By Oliver Goldsmith Prudery Ignorance

Ridicule has always been the enemy of enthusiasm, and the only worthy opponent to ridicule is success. By Oliver Goldsmith Enthusiasm Success Ridicule Enemy Worthy

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! By Oliver Goldsmith Romance Nature Taste Paint Beauty

Fancy restrained may be compared to a fountain, which plays highest by diminishing the aperture. By Oliver Goldsmith Fancy Fountain Aperture Restrained Compared

All is not gold that glitters,Pleasure seems sweet, but proves a glass of bitters By Oliver Goldsmith Sweet Bitters Gold Glitterspleasure Proves

Both wit and understanding are trifles without integrity. By Oliver Goldsmith Integrity Wit Understanding Trifles

No vernal blooms their torpid rocks array,But winter lingering chills the lap of May;No zephyr fondly sues the mountain's breast,But meteors glare, and stormy glooms invest. By Oliver Goldsmith Glare Invest Vernal Blooms Torpid

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Reserve Mind Silent Agony Disdain

I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines. By Oliver Goldsmith Friends Times Manners Books Wines

I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine. By Oliver Goldsmith Friends Times Manners Books Wine

Embosom'd in the deep where Holland lies. Methinks her patient sons before me stand, Where the broad ocean leans against the land. By Oliver Goldsmith Holland Embosom Lies Deep Methinks

O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree! By Oliver Goldsmith Luxury Heaven Thou Decree Curst

Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey/Where wealth accumulates and men decay By Oliver Goldsmith Land Prey Decay Fares Hastening

Elegy of the Death of a Mad Dog The dog, to gain some praivate ends, Went mad and bit the man. By Oliver Goldsmith Mad Dog Death Elegy Ends

Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse. By Oliver Goldsmith Conscience Coward Accuse Faults Strength

The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowded with fruition. By Oliver Goldsmith Fruition Hours Pass Happy Prospects

The pictures placed for ornament and use, The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose. By Oliver Goldsmith Rules Goose Pictures Ornament Twelve

Near yonder thorn, that lifts its head on high,Where once the sign-post caught the passing eye,Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired,Where graybeard mirth and smiling toil retired,Where village statesmen talk'd with looks profound,And news much older than their ale went round. By Oliver Goldsmith Thorn Round Yonder Lifts Head

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Aim Excellence Reputation Friends Ventured

There is probably no country so barbarous that would not disclose all it knew, if it received equivalent information; and I am apt to think that a person who was ready to give more knowledge than he received would be welcome wherever he came. By Oliver Goldsmith Knew Information Received Country Barbarous

There is nothing so absurd or ridiculous that has not at some time been said by some philosopher. Fontenelle says he would undertake to persuade the whole public of readers to believe that the sun was neither the cause of light or heat, if he could only get six philosophers on his side. By Oliver Goldsmith Absurd Ridiculous Time Fontenelle Heat

Titles and mottoes to books are like escutcheons and dignities in the hands of a king. The wise sometimes condescend to accept of them; but none but a fool would imagine them of any real importance. We ought to depend upon intrinsic merit, and not the slender helps of the title. By Oliver Goldsmith King Mottoes Books Escutcheons Dignities

The Europeans are themselves blind who describe fortune without sight. No first-rate beauty ever had finer eyes, or saw more clearly. They who have no other trade but seeking their fortune need never hope to find her; coquette-like, she flies from her close pursuers, and at last fixes on the plodding mechanic who stays at home and minds his business. By Oliver Goldsmith Europeans Sight Blind Describe Fortune

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Friend Read Book Time Excellent

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Preacher Talents Requisite Popular People

All that a husband or wife really wants is to be pitied a little, praised a little, and appreciated a little. By Oliver Goldsmith Praised Husband Wife Pitied Appreciated

Taste is the power of relishing or rejecting whatever is offered for the entertainment of the imagination. By Oliver Goldsmith Taste Imagination Power Relishing Rejecting

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Remote Unskilful Garden Place Copse

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Madam Married Fast Methodically Things

To the last moment of his breath, On hope the wretch relies; And even the pang preceding death Bids expectation rise. By Oliver Goldsmith Bids Breath Relies Rise Moment

The wretch condemn'd with life to part,Still, still on hope relies;And every pang that rends the heartBids expectation rise. By Oliver Goldsmith Partstill Relies Rise Wretch Condemn

Blest that abode, where want and pain repair, And every stranger finds a ready chair. By Oliver Goldsmith Blest Abode Repair Chair Pain

Men may be very learned, and yet very miserable; it is easy to be a deep geometrician, or a sublime astronomer, but very difficult to be a good man. I esteem, therefore, the traveller who instructs the heart, but despise him who only indulges the imagination. 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 only a vagabond. By Oliver Goldsmith Men Learned Miserable Geometrician Astronomer

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Habit Thinking Found Experience Spent

This same philosophy is a good horse in the stable, but an arrant jade on a journey. By Oliver Goldsmith Stable Journey Philosophy Good Horse

The man recovered of the bite, The dog it was that died. By Oliver Goldsmith Bite Died Man Recovered Dog

The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form. By Oliver Goldsmith Form Pregnant Quarry Teem Human

One man is born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and the other with a wooden ladle. By Oliver Goldsmith Mouth Ladle Man Born Silver

People seek within a short span of life to satisfy a thousand desires, each of which is insatiable. By Oliver Goldsmith People Desires Insatiable Seek Short

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Good Capable Obedience Filial Emperors

As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,- Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head. By Oliver Goldsmith Swells Eternal Form Vale Storm

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Battle Encounter Soul Compared Field

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. By Oliver Goldsmith Falling Fall Greatest Glory Rising

Creation's heir, the world, the world is mine! By Oliver Goldsmith World Creation Heir Mine

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Mind Vulgar Eccentric Road Benevolence

I fretted myself about the mistakes of government, like other people; but finding myself every day grow more angry, and the government growing no better, I left it to mend itself. By Oliver Goldsmith People Angry Government Fretted Mistakes

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Criterion Woes Goodness Large Iniquity

Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law. By Oliver Goldsmith Poor Grind Rich Men Rule

Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain. By Oliver Goldsmith Auburn Sweet Loveliest Plain Village

If you don't ask me questions, I can't give you an untrue answer. By Oliver Goldsmith Questions Answer Give Untrue

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

I have visited many countries, and have been in cities without number, yet never did I enter a town which could not produce ten or twelve little great men; all fancying themselves known to the rest of the world, and complimenting each other upon their extensive reputation. By Oliver Goldsmith Countries Number Men World Reputation

Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no fibs. By Oliver Goldsmith Questions Fibs

The work of eradicating crimes is not by making punishment familiar, but formidable. By Oliver Goldsmith Familiar Formidable Work Eradicating Crimes

As ten millions of circles can never make a square, so the united voice of myriads cannot lend the smallest foundation to falsehood. By Oliver Goldsmith Square Falsehood Ten Millions Circles

It seemed to me pretty plain, that they had more of love than matrimony in them. By Oliver Goldsmith Plain Pretty Love Matrimony

Age, that lessens the enjoyment of life, increases our desire of living By Oliver Goldsmith Age Life Increases Living Lessens

Nothing is so contemptible as that affectation of wisdom, which some display, by universal incredulity. By Oliver Goldsmith Wisdom Display Incredulity Contemptible Affectation

Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt; It 's like sending them ruffles when wanting a shirt. By Oliver Goldsmith Hurt Shirt Dainties Health Sending

As the reputation of books is raised not by their freedom from defect, but the greatness of their beauties, so should that of men be prized not for their exemption from fault, but the size of those virtues they are possessed of. By Oliver Goldsmith Defect Beauties Fault Reputation Books

I have known a German Prince with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nobleman with more names than shirts. By Oliver Goldsmith German Prince Spanish Subjects Shirts

The heart of every man lies open to the shafts of correction if the archer can take proper aim. By Oliver Goldsmith Aim Heart Man Lies Open

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 ofdisappointment. By Oliver Goldsmith Friendship Thee Thou Breast Calamity

Remote, unfriended, melancholy, slow, Or by the lazy Scheld or wandering Po. By Oliver Goldsmith Remote Unfriended Melancholy Slow Scheld

A kind and gentle heart he had, To comfort friends and foes; The naked every day he clad When he put on his clothes. By Oliver Goldsmith Foes Clothes Kind Gentle Heart

It has been well observed that few are better qualified to give others advice than those who have taken the least of it themselves. By Oliver Goldsmith Observed Qualified Give Advice

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

A night-cap deck'd his brows instead of bay,- A cap by night, a stocking all the day. By Oliver Goldsmith Bay Night Day Nightcap Deck

If we look round the world, there seem to be not above six distinct varieties in the human species, each of which is strongly marked, and speaks the kind seldom to have mixed with any other. But there is nothing in the shape, nothing in the faculties, that shows their coming from different originals; and the varieties of climate, of nourishment, and custom, are sufficient to produce every change. By Oliver Goldsmith World Species Marked Varieties Round

Unequal combinations are always disadvantageous to the weaker side. By Oliver Goldsmith Unequal Side Combinations Disadvantageous Weaker

An Englishman fears contempt more than death. By Oliver Goldsmith Englishman Death Fears Contempt

Fear guides more to their duty than gratitude; for one man who is virtuous from the love of virtue, from the obligation he thinks he lies under to the Giver of all, there are ten thousand who are good only from their apprehension of punishment. By Oliver Goldsmith Giver Fear Gratitude Virtue Punishment

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Cup Ingredients Pleasures Robs Share

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? By Oliver Goldsmith Sleep Fame Weep Friendship Charm

The polite of every country seem to have but one character. A gentleman of Sweden differs but little, except in trifles, from one of any other country. It is among the vulgar we are to find those distinctions which characterize a people. By Oliver Goldsmith Character Country Polite Sweden Trifles

An emperor in his nightcap will not meet with half the respect of an emperor with a crown. By Oliver Goldsmith Emperor Crown Nightcap Meet Half

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Careless Scan Began Merits Faults

Our Garrick 's a salad; for in him we see Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree! By Oliver Goldsmith Vinegar Sugar Garrick Oil Salad

I hate the French because they are all slaves and wear wooden shoes. By Oliver Goldsmith French Shoes Hate Slaves Wear

A silent address is the genuine eloquence of sincerity. By Oliver Goldsmith Sincerity Silent Address Genuine Eloquence

Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves. By Oliver Goldsmith Friendship Equals Love Slaves Disinterested

It world be well had we more misers than we have among us. By Oliver Goldsmith World Misers

Paltry affectation, strained allusions, and disgusting finery are easily attained by those who choose to wear them; they are but too frequently the badges of ignorance or of stupidity, whenever it would endeavor to please. By Oliver Goldsmith Paltry Affectation Strained Allusions Stupidity

Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations. By Oliver Goldsmith Life Accommodations Journey Traveled Matter

Surely the best way to meet the enemy is head on in the field and not wait till they plunder our very homes. By Oliver Goldsmith Surely Homes Meet Enemy Head

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 By Oliver Goldsmith Luxury Increases Necessities Pleasure Rise

Let observation with observant view,Observe mankind from China to Peru. By Oliver Goldsmith Peru China Observation Observant Viewobserve

Here lies David Garrick, describe me who can, An abridgment of all that was pleasant in man. By Oliver Goldsmith Garrick David Describe Man Lies

Aromatic plants bestow no spicy fragrance while they grow; but crush'd or trodden to the ground, diffuse their balmy sweets around. By Oliver Goldsmith Aromatic Grow Ground Diffuse Plants

People seldom improve when they have no model but themselves to copy after By Oliver Goldsmith People Seldom Improve Model Copy

So the loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar, But bind him to his native mountains more. By Oliver Goldsmith Torrent Roar Loud Whirlwind Bind

Error is ever talkative. By Oliver Goldsmith Error Talkative

Error is always talkative. By Oliver Goldsmith Error Talkative

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Humiliation Kind Proclaiming Owe Debt

To a philosopher no circumstance, however trifling, is too minute. By Oliver Goldsmith Circumstance Trifling Minute Philosopher

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Whichever Disagreeable Prospect Pleasures Possess

See me, how calm I am.Ay, people are generally calm at the misfortunes of others. By Oliver Goldsmith Amay People Calm Generally Misfortunes

To make a fine gentleman, several trades are required, but chiefly a barber. By Oliver Goldsmith Gentleman Required Barber Make Fine

We are not to judge of the feelings of others by what we might feel if in their place. However dark the habitation of the mole to our eyes, yet the animal itself finds the apartment sufficiently lightsome. By Oliver Goldsmith Place Judge Feelings Feel Eyes

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Lightning Bearing Opposer Astonishment Admiration

I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well. By Oliver Goldsmith Wife Gown Chose Wedding Qualities

Some fleeting good, that mocks me with the view. By Oliver Goldsmith Good View Fleeting Mocks

Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie. By Oliver Goldsmith Lie Questions Told

A traveler of taste will notice that the wise are polite all over the world, but the fool only at home. By Oliver Goldsmith World Home Traveler Taste Notice

The world is like a vast sea: mankind like a vessel sailing on its tempestuous bosom ... [T]he sciences serve us for oars. By Oliver Goldsmith Sea Mankind Bosom World Vast

They say women and music should never be dated. By Oliver Goldsmith Dated Women Music

The English laws punish vice; the Chinese laws do more, they reward virtue. By Oliver Goldsmith English Chinese Vice Virtue Laws

The bounds of a man's knowledge are easily concealed, if he has but prudence. By Oliver Goldsmith Concealed Prudence Bounds Man Knowledge

Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, adorns and cheers our way; and still, as darker grows the night, emits a brighter ray. By Oliver Goldsmith Hope Light Adorns Night Emits

The beast retires to it's shelter, and the bird flies to it's nest; but the helpless man can only find refuge in his fellow creature. By Oliver Goldsmith Shelter Nest Creature Beast Retires

How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labour with an age of ease! By Oliver Goldsmith Ease Blest Crowns Shades Youth

The malicious sneer is improperly called laughter. By Oliver Goldsmith Laughter Malicious Sneer Improperly Called

Want of prudence is too frequently the want of virtue. By Oliver Goldsmith Virtue Prudence Frequently

Don't let us make imaginary evils, when you know we have so many real ones to encounter. By Oliver Goldsmith Evils Encounter Make Imaginary Real

Every absurdity has a champion to defend it. By Oliver Goldsmith Absurdity Champion Defend

To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and convenience of our lives. By Oliver Goldsmith Lives Fortuitous Occurrence Owe Pleasure

A volcano may be considered as a cannon of immense size. By Oliver Goldsmith Size Volcano Considered Cannon Immense

Where wealth accumulates, men decay. By Oliver Goldsmith Accumulates Men Decay Wealth

Those who think must govern those that toil. By Oliver Goldsmith Toil Govern

Hope is such a bait, it covers any hook. By Oliver Goldsmith Hope Bait Hook Covers

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Faults Beauties Acquire Lasting Esteem

To husband out life's taper at the close, And keep the flames from wasting by repose. By Oliver Goldsmith Close Repose Husband Life Taper

Thus let me hold thee to my heart,And every care resign:And we shall never, never part,My life-my all that's mine! By Oliver Goldsmith Resign Mine Hold Thee Heartand

At night returning, every labour sped,He sits him down, the monarch of a shed;Smiles by his cheerful fire, and round surveysHis children's looks, that brighten at the blaze;While his lov'd partner, boastful of her hoard,Displays her cleanly platter on the board. By Oliver Goldsmith Smiles Returning Shed Fire Blaze

Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace the day's disasters in his morning face. By Oliver Goldsmith Face Boding Tremblers Learned Trace

Even children follow'd with endearing wile, And pluck'd his gown, to share the good man's smile. By Oliver Goldsmith Wile Gown Smile Children Follow

As for murmurs, mother, we grumble a little now and then, to be sure; but there's no love lost between us. By Oliver Goldsmith Mother Murmurs Grumble Love Lost

Trade's proud empire hastes to swift decay. By Oliver Goldsmith Trade Decay Proud Empire Hastes

And the weak soul, within itself unbless'd, Leans for all pleasure on another's breast. By Oliver Goldsmith Leans Soul Unbless Breast Weak

The bashful virgin's sidelong looks of love. By Oliver Goldsmith Love Bashful Virgin Sidelong

A man's own heart must ever be given to gain that of another. By Oliver Goldsmith Man Heart Gain

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Present Careless Future Sense Fool

When a person has no need to borrow they find multitudes willing to lend. By Oliver Goldsmith Lend Person Borrow Find Multitudes

The nakedness of the indigent world may be clothed from the trimmings of the vain. By Oliver Goldsmith Vain Nakedness Indigent World Clothed

Where commerce and capitalism are invloved, often times, morality and honor sink to the bottom-Oliver Goldsmith paraphrased By Oliver Goldsmith Goldsmith Invloved Times Morality Paraphrased

It is not easy to recover an art when once lost. By Oliver Goldsmith Lost Easy Recover Art

At this he laughed, and so did we: the jests of the rich are ever successful. By Oliver Goldsmith Laughed Successful Jests Rich

Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, Shoulder'd his crutch, and shew'd how fields were won. By Oliver Goldsmith Shoulder Wept Wounds Crutch Won

Hope, like the gleaming taper By Oliver Goldsmith Hope Taper Gleaming

Could a man live by it, it were not unpleasant employment to be a poet. By Oliver Goldsmith Poet Man Live Unpleasant Employment

What is genius or courage without a heart? By Oliver Goldsmith Heart Genius Courage

Law grinds the poor, and rich men rule the law. By Oliver Goldsmith Poor Law Grinds Rich Men

Fear guides more than gratitude. By Oliver Goldsmith Fear Gratitude Guides

Our pleasures are short, and can only charm at intervals; love is a method of protraction our greatest pleasure. By Oliver Goldsmith Short Intervals Love Charm Method

All the sciences are, in some measure, linked with each other, and before the one is ended, the other begins. By Oliver Goldsmith Measure Linked Ended Begins Sciences

The country blooms - a garden, and a grave. By Oliver Goldsmith Blooms Garden Grave Country

In arguing one should meet serious pleading with humor, and humor with serious pleading. By Oliver Goldsmith Pleading Humor Arguing Meet

Whatever the skill of any country may be in the sciences, it is from its excellence in polite learning alone that it must expect a character from posterity. By Oliver Goldsmith Sciences Posterity Skill Country Excellence

Wealth accumulates, and men decay. By Oliver Goldsmith Wealth Accumulates Decay Men

On the stage he was natural, simple, affecting, 'Twas only when he was off, he was acting. By Oliver Goldsmith Simple Affecting Twas Natural Acting

Tenderness is a virtue. By Oliver Goldsmith Tenderness Virtue

Is it that Nature, attentive to the preservation of mankind, increases our wishes to live, while she lessens our enjoyments, and as she robs the senses of every pleasure, equips imag-ination in the spoil? By Oliver Goldsmith Nature Attentive Mankind Increases Live

A man he was to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year. By Oliver Goldsmith Dear Year Man Country Passing

The folly of others is ever most ridiculous to those who are themselves most foolish. By Oliver Goldsmith Foolish Folly Ridiculous

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Happy Vice Virtue Romance Eyes

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Anticipation Future Great Source Calamity

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Comet Mountain Bagatelle Woman Dressed

True wisdom consists of tracing effects to their causes. By Oliver Goldsmith True Wisdom Consists Tracing Effects

I could not but smile to hear her talking in this lofty strain, but I was never much displeased with those harmless delusions that tend to make us more happy. By Oliver Goldsmith Strain Happy Smile Hear Talking

We had no revolutions to fear, nor fatigues to undergo; all our adventures were by the fireside, and all our migrations from the blue bed to the brown. By Oliver Goldsmith Fear Undergo Fireside Brown Revolutions

Ridicule has even been the most powerful enemy of enthusiasm, and properly the only antagonist that can be opposed to it with success. By Oliver Goldsmith Ridicule Enthusiasm Success Powerful Enemy

But me, not destined such delights to share,My prime of life in wandering spent and care;Impell'd, with steps unceasing, to pursueSome fleeting good, that mocks me with the viewThat, 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. By Oliver Goldsmith Impell Flies Care Unceasing Good

We may affirm of Mr. Buffon, that which has been said of the chemists of old; though he may have failed in attaining his principal aim, of establishing a theory, yet he has brought together such a multitude of facts relative to the history of the earth, and the nature of its fossil productions, that curiosity finds ample compensation, even while it feels the want of conviction. By Oliver Goldsmith Buffon Aim Theory Earth Productions

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Settled Selfexistence Proceeding Ratio Naturally

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. By Oliver Goldsmith God Wanderings Round World Carein

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Generous Creditors Greatness Simple Justice

He cast off his friends as a huntsman his pack, For he knew when he pleas'd he could whistle them back. By Oliver Goldsmith Pack Back Cast Friends Huntsman

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Laugh Blest Feasts Crowned Tale

Politics resemble religion; attempting to divest either of ceremony is the most certain mode of bringing either into contempt. By Oliver Goldsmith Politics Religion Attempting Contempt Resemble

Like the tiger, that seldom desists from pursuing man after having once preyed upon human flesh, the reader who has once gratified his appetite with calumny makes ever after the most agreeable feast upon murdered reputations! By Oliver Goldsmith Tiger Flesh Reputations Seldom Desists

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Time Err Art Persuade Charms

The loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind. By Oliver Goldsmith Mind Loud Laugh Spoke Vacant

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Pity Relieve Passion Assistance Pocket

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Gloomy Finds Man Ambition Disappointment

With disadvantages enough to bring him to humility, a Scotsman is one of the proudest things alive. By Oliver Goldsmith Scotsman Humility Alive Disadvantages Bring

As for disappointing them I should not so much mind; but I can't abide to disappoint myself. By Oliver Goldsmith Mind Disappointing Abide Disappoint

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Friendship Pleasure Pity Contempt Made

In two opposite opinions, if one be perfectly reasonable, the other can't be perfectly right. By Oliver Goldsmith Perfectly Opinions Reasonable Opposite

Silence gives consent. By Oliver Goldsmith Silence Consent

Mortifications are often more painful than real calamities. By Oliver Goldsmith Mortifications Calamities Painful Real

The wisdom of the ignorant somewhat resembles the instinct of animals; it is diffused in but a very narrow sphere, but within the circle it acts with vigor, uniformity, and success. By Oliver Goldsmith Uniformity Animals Sphere Vigor Success

If the soul be happily disposed, every thing becomes capable of affording entertainment, and distress will almost want a name. By Oliver Goldsmith Disposed Entertainment Soul Happily Thing

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Country Philosopher Guided Curiosity Vagabond

Persecution is a tribute the great must always pay for preeminence. By Oliver Goldsmith Persecution Preeminence Tribute Great Pay

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Numerous Indolent Ease Writers Natural

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Usual Laughing Wit Answered End

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Procure Good Addition Sufficient Real

In a polite age almost every person becomes a reader, and receives more instruction from the Press than the Pulpit. By Oliver Goldsmith Pulpit Press Reader Polite Age

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Temperance Frugality Boys Educated Greatest

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. By Oliver Goldsmith State Life Pleasures Happiness Fewer

In all the silent manliness of grief. By Oliver Goldsmith Grief Silent Manliness

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Part Merit Favor Remarked Character

The miscellaneous poetry of this age is nothing like the last; it is very poor. By Oliver Goldsmith Poor Miscellaneous Poetry Age

As few subjects are more interesting to society, so few have been more frequently written upon than the education of youth. By Oliver Goldsmith Society Youth Subjects Interesting Frequently

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Truths Futurity Villain Breast Learn

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Open Periods Fine Delicate Cadences

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Allur Skies Art Reprov Delay

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Life Child Asleep Greatest Froward

Eternal blessings crown my earliest friend,And round his dwelling guardian saints attend. By Oliver Goldsmith Eternal Attend Blessings Crown Earliest

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Opinion Family Single Population Honest

Nobody with me at sea but myself. By Oliver Goldsmith Sea

But winter lingering chills the lap of May. By Oliver Goldsmith Winter Lingering Chills Lap

As in some Irish houses, where things are so-so,One gammon of bacon hangs up for a show;But, for eating a rasher of what they take pride in,They'd as soon think of eating the pan it is fried in. By Oliver Goldsmith Irish Eating Houses Gammon Show

law grinds the poor, rich men rule the law By Oliver Goldsmith Poor Rich Law Grinds Men

A reserved lover, it is said, always makes a suspicious husband. By Oliver Goldsmith Lover Husband Reserved Makes Suspicious

That virtue which requires to be ever guarded is scarce worth the sentinel. By Oliver Goldsmith Sentinel Virtue Requires Guarded Scarce

One writer, for instance, excels at a plan or a title page, another works away at the body of the book, and a third is a dab at an index. By Oliver Goldsmith Writer Instance Excels Page Book

Blame where you must, be candid where you can, And be each critic the Good-natured Man. By Oliver Goldsmith Man Goodnatured Blame Candid Critic

Let schoolmasters puzzle their brain, With grammar, and nonsense, and learning, Good liquor, I stoutly maintain, Gives genius a better discerning. By Oliver Goldsmith Good Brain Grammar Nonsense Learning

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Turns Whereer Roam Untravelled Fondly

The mind is ever ingenious in making its own distress. By Oliver Goldsmith Distress Mind Ingenious Making

Death when unmasked shows us a friendly face and is a terror only at a distance. By Oliver Goldsmith Death Distance Unmasked Shows Friendly

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? By Oliver Goldsmith Alas Declamation Angry Men Find

Our bounty, like a drop of water, disappears, when diffus'd too widely By Oliver Goldsmith Disappears Bounty Water Widely Drop

The ambitious are forever followed by adulation for they receive the most pleasure from flattery. By Oliver Goldsmith Flattery Ambitious Forever Adulation Receive

The genteel thing is the genteel thing any time, if as be that a gentleman bees in a concatenation accordingly. By Oliver Goldsmith Genteel Thing Time Gentleman Bees

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Indians Fortune Nose Person Clothes

Indeed, Constance, you amaze me. Such a girl as you want jewels! It will be time enough for jewels, my dear, twenty years hence, when your beauty begins to want repairs. By Oliver Goldsmith Constance Jewels Amaze Dear Twenty

Wit generally succeeds more from being happily addressed than from its native poignancy. A jest, calculated to spread at a gaming-table, may be received with, perfect indifference should it happen to drop in a mackerel-boat. By Oliver Goldsmith Wit Poignancy Generally Succeeds Happily

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Instructors Motives Induce Men Writewhether

Aspiring beggary is wretchedness itself. By Oliver Goldsmith Aspiring Beggary Wretchedness

While Resignation gently slopes away, And all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere the world be past. By Oliver Goldsmith Resignation Past Gently Slopes Prospects

Be not affronted at a joke. If one throw salt at thee, thou wilt receive no harm, unless thou art raw. By Oliver Goldsmith Joke Affronted Thou Thee Harm

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips. By Oliver Goldsmith Lips Preach Sermon Life

What we place most hopes upon, generally proves most fatal. By Oliver Goldsmith Generally Fatal Place Hopes Proves

Who mix'd reason with pleasure, and wisdom with mirth: If he had any faults, he has left us in doubt. By Oliver Goldsmith Pleasure Mirth Faults Doubt Mix

Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, and fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray. By Oliver Goldsmith Truth Sway Fools Scoff Remained

A flattering painter, who made it his care To draw men as they ought to be, not as they are. By Oliver Goldsmith Painter Flattering Made Care Draw

What we say of a thing that has just come in fashionAnd that which we do with the dead,Is the name of the honestest man in the nation:What more of a man can be said? By Oliver Goldsmith Man Nation Thing Fashionand Deadis

The very pink of perfection. By Oliver Goldsmith Perfection Pink

There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue. By Oliver Goldsmith Virtue Faults Allied Excellence Scarce

Silence is become his mother tongue. By Oliver Goldsmith Silence Tongue Mother

The nakedness of the indignant world may be cloathed from the trimmings of the vain. By Oliver Goldsmith Vain Nakedness Indignant World Cloathed

Vain, very vain is my search to find; that happiness which only centers in the mind. By Oliver Goldsmith Find Mind Vain Search Happiness

They liked the book better the more it made them cry. By Oliver Goldsmith Cry Book Made

The best way to make your audience laugh is to start laughing yourself. By Oliver Goldsmith Make Audience Laugh Start Laughing

Premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow. By Oliver Goldsmith Premature Sorrow Consolation Remembrancer

By every remove I only drag a greater length of chain. By Oliver Goldsmith Chain Remove Drag Greater Length

Honour sinks where commerce long prevails. By Oliver Goldsmith Honour Prevails Sinks Commerce Long

Man wants but little here below, nor wants that little long. By Oliver Goldsmith Man Long

And fools who came to scoff remain'd to pray. By Oliver Goldsmith Pray Fools Scoff Remain

There is unspeakable pleasure attending the life of a voluntary student. By Oliver Goldsmith Student Unspeakable Pleasure Attending Life

One should not quarrel with a dog without a reason sufficient to vindicate one through all the courts of morality. By Oliver Goldsmith Morality Quarrel Dog Reason Sufficient

Wisdom makes a slow defense against trouble, though a sure one in the end. By Oliver Goldsmith Wisdom Trouble End Makes Slow

Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other. By Oliver Goldsmith Pity Friendship Passions Incompatible

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. By Oliver Goldsmith True Imposed Law Generosity Duty

All his faults are such that one loves him still the better for them. By Oliver Goldsmith Faults Loves

A book may be very amusing with numerous errors, or it may be very dull without a single absurdity. By Oliver Goldsmith Errors Absurdity Book Amusing Numerous

Our chief comforts often produce our greatest anxieties, and the increase in our possessions is but an inlet to new disquietudes. By Oliver Goldsmith Anxieties Disquietudes Chief Comforts Produce

Philosophy ... should not pretend to increase our present stock, but make us economists of what we are possessed of. By Oliver Goldsmith Philosophy Stock Pretend Increase Present

And learn the luxury of doing good. By Oliver Goldsmith Good Learn Luxury

Write how you want, the critic shall show the world you could have written better. By Oliver Goldsmith Write Critic Show World Written

For just experience tells, in every soil, That those that think must govern those that toil. By Oliver Goldsmith Soil Toil Experience Govern

The life of a scholar seldom abounds with adventure. By Oliver Goldsmith Adventure Life Scholar Seldom Abounds

Like the bee, we should make our industry our amusement. By Oliver Goldsmith Bee Amusement Make Industry

If one wishes to become rich they must appear rich. By Oliver Goldsmith Rich Wishes

Those who place their affections at first on trifles for amusement, will find these trifles become at last their most serious concerns. By Oliver Goldsmith Amusement Concerns Trifles Place Affections

... 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. By Oliver Goldsmith Wealth Fears Day Invader Enormous

In proportion as society refines, new books must ever become more necessary. By Oliver Goldsmith Refines Proportion Society Books

Every want that stimulates the breast becomes a source of pleasure when redressed. By Oliver Goldsmith Redressed Stimulates Breast Source Pleasure

Little things are great to little men. By Oliver Goldsmith Men Things Great

Books are necessary to correct the vices of the polite; but those vices are ever changing, and the antidote should be changed accordingly should still be new. By Oliver Goldsmith Vices Books Polite Changing Correct

The volume of Nature is the book of knowledge. By Oliver Goldsmith Nature Knowledge Volume Book

Here let me sit in sorrow for mankind. By Oliver Goldsmith Mankind Sit Sorrow

Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues. By Oliver Goldsmith Modesty Virtues Seldom Resides Breast

Thou source of all my bliss and all my woe, That found'st me poor at first, and keep'st me so. By Oliver Goldsmith Thou Woe Source Bliss Foundst

[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth. By Oliver Goldsmith Inquiry Depths Thousands Miles Hidden

He watched and wept and prayed and felt for all By Oliver Goldsmith Watched Wept Prayed Felt

The ingratitude of the world can never deprive us of the conscious happiness of having acted with humanity ourselves. By Oliver Goldsmith Ingratitude World Deprive Conscious Happiness

Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, I see the lords of humankind pass by. By Oliver Goldsmith Pride Port Defiance Eye Lords

Good people all, with one accord, Lament for Madam Blaize, Who never wanted a good word From those who spoke her praise. By Oliver Goldsmith Lament Blaize Madam Accord Praise

Politeness is the result of good sense and good nature. By Oliver Goldsmith Politeness Nature Good Result Sense

Ceremonies are different in every country, but true politeness is everywhere the same. By Oliver Goldsmith Ceremonies Country True Politeness

He makes a very handsome corpse and becomes his coffin prodigiously. By Oliver Goldsmith Prodigiously Makes Handsome Corpse Coffin

The volumes of antiquity, like medals, may very well serve to amuse the curious, but the works of the moderns, like the current coin of a kingdom, are much better for immediate use. By Oliver Goldsmith Antiquity Medals Curious Moderns Kingdom

Though very poor, may still be very blest. By Oliver Goldsmith Poor Blest

Alas! the joys that fortune bringsAre trifling, and decay,And those who prize the trifling things,More trifling still than they. By Oliver Goldsmith Alas Trifling Joys Fortune Bringsare

They please, are pleas'd, they give to get esteem Till, seeming blest, they grow to what they seem. By Oliver Goldsmith Till Pleas Blest Give Esteem

Novels teach the youthful mind to sigh after happiness that never existed. By Oliver Goldsmith Existed Teach Youthful Mind Sigh

We sometimes had those little rubs which Providence sends to enhance the value of its favors. By Oliver Goldsmith Providence Favors Rubs Sends Enhance

Amid thy desert-walks the lapwing flies, And tires their echoes with unvaried cries. By Oliver Goldsmith Amid Flies Cries Thy Desertwalks

I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects too. No, sir, these, I protest you, are too hard for me. By Oliver Goldsmith Find Furnish Argument Intellects Sir

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Good Man Universe Philosopher Adversity

We are all sure of two things, at least; we shall suffer and we shall all die. By Oliver Goldsmith Things Die Suffer

We seldom speak of the virtue which we have, but much oftener of that which we lack. By Oliver Goldsmith Lack Seldom Speak Virtue Oftener

A mind too vigorous and active, serves only to consume the body to which it is joined. By Oliver Goldsmith Active Serves Joined Mind Vigorous

If we do not find happiness in the present moment, in what shall we find it? By Oliver Goldsmith Moment Find Happiness Present

And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, that one small head could carry all he knew. By Oliver Goldsmith Gazed Grew Knew Small Head

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Life Race Observing Compared Allusion

All the bloomy flush of life is fled. By Oliver Goldsmith Fled Bloomy Flush Life

The true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them. By Oliver Goldsmith True Speech Express Conceal

When we take a slight survey of the surface of our globe a thousand objects offer themselves which, though long known, yet still demand our curiosity. By Oliver Goldsmith Curiosity Slight Survey Surface Globe

It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition. By Oliver Goldsmith Observed Fruition Thousand Times Observe

Absence, like death, sets a seal on the image of those we love: we cannot realize the intervening changes which time may have effected. By Oliver Goldsmith Absence Death Sets Love Effected

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. By Oliver Goldsmith Learn Boy True Wisdom Public

The sports of children satisfy the child. By Oliver Goldsmith Child Sports Children Satisfy

Who pepper'd the highest was surest to please. By Oliver Goldsmith Pepper Highest Surest

Measures, not men, have always been my mark. By Oliver Goldsmith Measures Men Mark

Teach erring man to spurn the rage of gain. By Oliver Goldsmith Teach Gain Erring Man Spurn

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 ... By Oliver Goldsmith Merit Find Apt Boast National

The first blow is half the battle. By Oliver Goldsmith Battle Blow Half

How wide the limits stand Between a splendid and a happy land. By Oliver Goldsmith Land Wide Limits Stand Splendid

Man seems the only growth that dwindles here. By Oliver Goldsmith Man Growth Dwindles

True genius walks along a line, and, perhaps, our greatest pleasure is in seeing it so often near falling, without being ever actually down. By Oliver Goldsmith True Line Falling Genius Walks

The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made. By Oliver Goldsmith Bush Shade Made Hawthorn Seats

Girls like to be played with, and rumpled a little too, sometimes. By Oliver Goldsmith Girls Played Rumpled

And his best riches, ignorance of wealth. By Oliver Goldsmith Riches Ignorance Wealth

I armed her against the censure of the world, showed her that books were sweet unreproaching companions to the miserable, and that if they could not bring us to enjoy life, they would at least teach us to endure it. By Oliver Goldsmith World Showed Miserable Life Armed

Take a dollar from a thousand and it will be a thousand no more. By Oliver Goldsmith Thousand Dollar

To be poor, and to seem poor, is a certain method never to rise. By Oliver Goldsmith Poor Rise Method

I have known many of those pretended champions for liberty in my time, yet do I not remember one that was not in his heart and in his family a tyrant. By Oliver Goldsmith Time Tyrant Pretended Champions Liberty

If you were to make little fishes talk, they would talk like whales. By Oliver Goldsmith Whales Talk Make Fishes

The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing. By Oliver Goldsmith Found Producing Fortunate Circumstances Lives

Of all kinds of ambition, that which pursues poetical fame is the wildest By Oliver Goldsmith Ambition Wildest Kinds Pursues Poetical

While selfishness joins hands with no one of the virtues, benevolence is allied to them all. By Oliver Goldsmith Virtues Benevolence Selfishness Joins Hands

Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry. By Oliver Goldsmith Fortune Industry Accompanying