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Quotes by Goldsmith
155 quotations from The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896), with the subject each one is filed under.
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.— filed under Absence
February 16, 1753. To what happy accident is it that we owe so unexpected a visit?— filed under Accident
The king himself has follow'd her When she has walk'd before.— filed under Admiration
Lecture V. Aromatic plants bestow No spicy fragrance while they grow; But crush'd or trodden to the ground, Diffuse their balmy sweets around.— filed under Adversity
Even children follow'd with endearing wile, And pluck'd his gown, to share the good man's smile.— filed under Affection
Alike all ages: dames of ancient days Have led their children thro' the mirthful maze. And the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore, Has frisk'd beneath the burthen of threescore.— filed under Affliction
I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine. S.— filed under Affliction
O blest retirement! friend to life's decline- Retreats from care, that never must be mine How blest is he who crowns, in shades like these, A youth of labour with an age of ease!— filed under Affliction
They say women and music should never be dated.— filed under Affliction
They please, are pleas'd, they give to get esteem Till, seeming blest, they grow to what they seem.— filed under Ambition
Gamester. The pictures placed for ornament and use, The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose.— filed under Amusements
By sports like these are all their cares beguil'd, The sports of children satisfy the child. S.— filed under Amusements
Ass. John Trott was desired by two witty peers To tell them the reason why asses had ears. "An't please you," quoth John, "I'm not given to letters; Nor dare I pretend to know more than my betters: Howe'er, from this time I shall ne'er see your graces, As I hope to be saved! without thinking on asses."— filed under Animals-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.— filed under Animals-Dog
Mad Dog. The man recover'd of the bite, The dog it was that died.— filed under Animals-Dog
Apparel. A night-cap deck'd his brows instead of bay, A cap by night, -a stocking all the day.— filed under Apparel
Bed-chamber. It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.— filed under Apparel
His conduct still right with his argument wrong.— filed under Argument
In arguing, too, the parson own'd his skill, For even though vanquished he could argue still.— filed under Argument
His pencil was striking, resistless, and grand ; His manners were gentle, complying, and bland; Still born to improve us in every part, . His pencil our faces, his manners our heart.— filed under Art
The canvas glow'd beyond ev'n nature warm; The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form.— filed under Art
His house was known to all the vagrant train, He chid their wanderings but reliev'd their pain; The long remembered beggar was his guest, Whose beard descending swept his aged breast.— filed under Belief
A kind and gentle heart he had, To comfort friends and foes; The naked every day he clad When he put on his clothes.— filed under Benevolence
Mad Dog. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And e'en his failings lean'd to virtue's side.— filed under Benevolence
or, The Dumps. Far different there from all that charm'd before, The various terrors of that horrid shore; * * * * * * Those matted woods where birds forget to sing, But silent bats in drowsy clusters cling.— filed under Birds-Blackbird
Amid thy desert-walks the lapwing flies, And tires their echoes with unvaried cries.— filed under Birds-Lark
Vain, very vain, my weary search to find That bliss which only centres in the mind.— filed under Bliss
State. Of Books. 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.— filed under Books
Letter LXXII. I armed her against the censures 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. S.— filed under Books
In proportion as society refines, new books must ever become more necessary.— filed under Books
Introduction. Here lies David Garrick-describe me, who can, An abridgment of all that was pleasant in man. As an actor, confess'd without rival to shine; As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.— filed under Character
Our Garrick's a salad; for in him we see Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree.— filed under Character
Though equal to all things, for all things unfit; Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit.— filed under Character
Cheerful at morn he wakes from short repose, Breathes the keen air, and carols as he goes.— filed under Childhood
Alike all ages, dames of ancient days Have led their children thro' the mirthful maze; And the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore, Has frisk'd beneath the burden of threescore.— filed under Childhood
By sports like these are all their cares beguil'd, The sports of children satisfy the child.— filed under Childhood
from Ovid-Tristia. IV. 3. 79. Sc. 1. Long's trans. To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and convenience of our lives.— filed under Circumstance
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.— filed under Compensation
Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength to prevent, it seldom has justice enough to accuse.— filed under Conscience
When they talk'd of their Raphaels, Correggios, and stuff, He shifted his trumpet, and only took snuff.— filed under Contempt
Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long.— filed under Content
Their wants but few, their wishes all confin'd.— filed under Content
S. Where wealth and freedom reign, contentment fails, And honour sinks where commerce long prevails.— filed under Content
They would talk of nothing but high life and high-lived company, with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, Shakespeare, and the musical glasses.— filed under Conversation
The land of scholars, and the nurse of arms.— filed under Countries-America
So the loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar, But bind him to his native mountains more.— filed under Country, Love Of
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.— filed under Cowardice-Cowards
Blame where you must, be candid where you can, And be each critic the Good-natured Man.— filed under Criticism
Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no fibs. S.— filed under Curiosity
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.— filed under Dancing
Mortality. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay; Princes and Lords may flourish, or may fade- A breath can make them, as a breath has made- But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroy'd can never be supplied.— filed under Decay
Realist. The true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them.— filed under Demosthenes
Subsect. 10. That dire disease, whose ruthless power Withers the beauty's transient flower.— filed under Disease
Beheld the duteous son, the sire decayed, The modest matron, and the blushing maid, Forc'd from their homes, a melancholy train, To traverse climes beyond the Western main.— filed under Emigration
Down where yon anch'ring vessel spreads the sail, That, idly waiting, flaps with every gale, Downward they move, a melancholy band, Pass from the shore and darken all the strand.— filed under Emigration
How small of all that human hearts endure, That part which laws or kings can cause or cure! Still to ourselves in every place consigned, Our own felicity we make or find. With secret course, which no loud storms annoy, Glides the smooth current of domestic joy.— filed under Enjoyment
Washington Abroad and at Home. Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.— filed under Example
Subjects. Society in Italy in the Last Days of the Roman Republic. For just experience tells, in every soil, That those who think must govern those that toil.— filed under Experience
Well had the boding tremblers learn'd to trace The day's disasters in his morning face.— filed under Face
On Mr. Dryden's Religio Laici. L. 8. Who mix'd reason with pleasure, and wisdom with mirth; If he had any faults, he has left us in doubt.— filed under Faults
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.— filed under Festivities
He cast off his friends, as a huntsman his pack, For he knew when he pleased he could whistle them back.— filed under Fickleness
Of praise a mere glutton, he swallow'd what came, And the puff of a dunce, he mistook it for fame; Till his relish grown callous, almost to displease, Who pepper'd the highest was surest to please.— filed under Flattery
Furze. Ulex. With blossom'd furze unprofitably gay. C.— filed under Flowers-Forget-Me-Not
Her modest looks the cottage might adorn, Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn.— filed under Flowers-Primrose
He cast off his friends, as a huntsman his pack; For he knew, when he pleas'd, he could whistle them back.— filed under Friends
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?— filed under Friendship
Geo. Long's trans. 66 Very well," cried I, "that's a good girl; I find you are perfectly qualified for making converts, and so go help your mother to make the gooseberry pye."— filed under Fruits
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.— filed under Futurity
Adventures of Oliver Goldsmith. Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such Wescarcely can praise it or blame it too much; Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind.— filed under Genius
And learn the luxury of doing good.— filed under Goodness
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.— filed under Goodness
That those who think must govern those that toil.— filed under Government
In all the silent manliness of grief.— filed under Grief
Man seems the only growth that dwindles here.— filed under Growth
Still to ourselves in every place consign'd. Our own felicity we make or find.— filed under Happiness
(The letter H.) While resignation gently slopes the way; And, all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere the world be past.— filed under Heaven
Turn, gentle Hermit of the Dale, And guide my lonely way To where yon taper cheers the vale With hospitable ray.— filed under Help
Come Home. At night returning, every labour sped, He sits him down, the monarch of a shed; Smiles by his cheerful fire, and round surveys His children's looks, that brighten at the blaze; While his lov'd partner, boastful of her hoard, Displays her cleanly platter on the board.— filed under Home
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.— filed under Home
Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, Adorns and cheers our way; And still, as darker grows the night, Emits a brighter ray. S.— filed under Hope
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.— filed under Hope
The wretch condemn'd with life to part, Still, still on hope relies; And every pang that rends the heart Bids expectation rise.— filed under Hope
Thus 'tis with all; their chief and constant care Is to seem everything but what they are.— filed under Hypocrisy
The Garden. L. 342. L. 342. Thus idly busy rolls their world away.— filed under Idleness
And his best riches, ignorance of wealth.— filed under Ignorance
And, e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.— filed under Joy
Age. Who can direct, when all pretend to know?— filed under Knowledge
How blest is he who crowns in shades like these, A youth of labour with an age of ease.— filed under William, Earl Of Stirling
And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind mind.— filed under Laughter
Taylor's trans. And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, That one small head should carry all he knew.— filed under Learning
While words of learned length and thundering sound Amaz'd the gazing rustics rang'd around.— filed under Learning
Yet, he was 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.— filed under Learning
The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form. S.— filed under Life
Song 1 As for murmurs, mother, we grumble a little now and then, to be sure; but there's no love lost between us.— filed under Love
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!— filed under Love
O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree.— filed under Luxury
Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt: It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.— filed under Luxury
aa. Lords of humankind.— filed under Bright Of Disraeli
So, with decorum all things carry'd; Miss frown'd, and blush'd, and then wasmarried.— filed under Matrimony
Remembrance wakes with all her busy train, Swells at my breast, and turns the past to pain.— filed under Memory
Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see, My heart untravell'd fondly turns to thee; Still to my brother turns, with ceaseless pain, And drags at each remove a lengthening chain.— filed under Memory
Hoards after hoards his rising raptures fill; Yet still he sighs, for hoards are wanting still.— filed under Misers
Her modest looks the cottage might adorn, Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn.— filed under Modesty
S. But winter lingering chills the lap of May.— filed under Months-May
Round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head.— filed under Mountains
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.— filed under Night
Prologue. On the stage he was natural, simple, affecting, 'Twas only that when he was off, he was acting.— filed under Observation
One writer, for instance, excels at a plan, or a title-page, another works away the body of the book, and a third is a dab at an index.— filed under Occupations-Alchemy
Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law.— filed under Occupations-Law
The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay; Sat by his fire, and talked the night away, Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, Shoulder'd his crutch, and show'd how fields were won.— filed under Occupations-Military
A flattering painter, who made it his care To draw men as they ought to be, not as they are.— filed under Occupations-Navigation
And fools who came to scoff, remain'd to pray.— filed under Xii
Class in Divinity College, Cambridge, July 15, 1838. 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.— filed under Occupations-Preaching
At church, with meek and unaffected grace, His looks adorn'd the venerable place; Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools, who came to scoff, remain'd to pray.— filed under Occupations-Preaching
But in his duty prompt at every call, He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.— filed under Occupations-Preaching
OCCUPATIONS-TEACHING. 455 Full well they laughed, 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.— filed under Occupations-Tailoring
the Liberator, 1837-1839. Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam, His first best country ever is at home.— filed under Patriotism
Dispensary. The very pink of perfection.— filed under Perfection
Subjects. Calvinism. This same philosophy is a good horse in the stable, but an arrant jade on a journey.— filed under Philosophy
Careless their merits or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. и.— filed under Pity
Taught by that Power that pities me, I learn to pity them.— filed under Pity
Thou best-humour'd man with the worst-humour'd muse.— filed under Poets
Measures, not men, have always been my mark.— filed under Policy
Give 'em Jessie. FREMONT'S Supporters in the Presidential Campaign of 1856. Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind.— filed under Politics
Thou source of all my bliss and all my woe, That found'st me poor at first, and keep'st me so.— filed under Poverty
Good people all, with one accord, Lament for Madame Blaize, Who never wanted a good word- From those who spoke her praise.— filed under Praise
Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, I see the lords of humankind pass by.— filed under Pride
Handsome is that handsome does.— filed under Proverbs
I'll be with you in the squeezing of a lemon.— filed under Proverbs
The true beginning of our end. Midsummer-Night's Dream. Act V. Sc. 1. L. 111. The very pink of perfection.— filed under Proverbs
Epigrammatique. We sometimes had those little rubs which Providence sends to enhance the value of its favours.— filed under Providence
In a polite age almost every person becomes a reader, and receives more instruction from the Press than the Pulpit.— filed under Reading
Letter LXXV. The first time I read an excellent book, it is to me just as if I had gained a new friend. When I read over a book I have perused before, it resembles the meeting with an old one.— filed under Reading
To husband out life's taper at the close, And keep the flames from wasting by repose.— filed under Repose
Bends to the grave with unperceived decay, While resignation gently slopes the way; And, all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere the world be past.— filed under Resignation
Loire. How often I have led thy sportive choir, With tuneless pipe, beside the murmuring Loire! Where shading elms along the margin grew, And freshen'd from the wave, the zephyr flew.— filed under Rivers-Lee
Scheld. Remote, unfriended, melancholy, slow, Or by the lazy Scheld or wandering Po!— filed under Rivers-Rhine
The only art her guilt to cover, To hide her shame from every eye, To give repentance to her lover, And wring his bosom, is-to die.— filed under Shame
Of Natural Fools. Maxim I. To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm, than all the gloss of art.— filed under Simplicity
Nobody with me at sea but myself.— filed under Solitude
He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.— filed under Sympathy
Where village statesmen talk'd with looks profound. And news much older than their ale went round.— filed under Talk
Those who think must govern those that toil.— filed under Thought
The hawthorn-bush, with seats beneath the shade For talking age and whispering lovers made!— filed under Trees And Plants-Chestnut
These little things are great to little man.— filed under Trifles
And even his failings leaned to virtue's side.— filed under Virtue
Sept. 11, 1773. For he who fights and runs away May live to fight another day; But he who is in battle slain Can never rise and fight again.— filed under War
And the weak soul, within itself unbless'd, Leans for all pleasure on another's breast.— filed under Weakness
Let schoolmasters puzzle their brain, With grammar, and nonsense, and learning; Good liquor, I stoutly maintain, Gives genius a better discerning.— filed under Wine And Spirits
Wisdom makes but a slow defence against trouble, though at last a sure one.— filed under Wisdom
Man. The quoted lines from— filed under Wishes
Maxim I. As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.— filed under Wit
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?— filed under Woman
Creation's heir, the world, the world is mine!— filed under Work