1
Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no fibs.Oliver Goldsmith
2
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.Oliver Goldsmith
3
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.Oliver Goldsmith
4
I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines.Oliver Goldsmith
5
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.Oliver Goldsmith
6
Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse.Oliver Goldsmith
7
Hope, like the gleaming taper’s light, adorns and cheers our way; and still, as darker grows the night, emits a brighter ray.Oliver Goldsmith
8
…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.Oliver Goldsmith
9
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.Oliver Goldsmith
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Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.Oliver Goldsmith
11
Conscience is a coward and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse.Oliver Goldsmith
12
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.Oliver Goldsmith
13
Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no fibs.Oliver Goldsmith
14
Philosophy ... should not pretend to increase our present stock but make us economists of what we are possessed of.Oliver Goldsmith
15
To make a fine gentleman several trades are required but chiefly a barber.Oliver Goldsmith
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Hope like the gleaming taper's light adorns and cheers our way And still as darker grows the night emits a lighter ray.Oliver Goldsmith
17
People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after.Oliver Goldsmith
18
The English laws punish vice the Chinese laws do more they reward virtue.Oliver Goldsmith
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Laws grind the poor and rich men rule the law.Oliver Goldsmith
20
And still they gazed and still the wonder grew That one small head should carry all it knew.Oliver Goldsmith
21
Man wants but little here below nor wants that little long.Oliver Goldsmith
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Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry.Oliver Goldsmith
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Man wants but little here below Nor wants that little long.Oliver Goldsmith
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Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.Oliver Goldsmith
25
The very pink of perfection.Oliver Goldsmith
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Philosophy is a good horse in the stable but an errant jade on a journey.Oliver Goldsmith
27
The man recover'd of the bite The dog it was that died.Oliver Goldsmith
28
At church with meek and unaffected grace His looks adorn'd the venerable place Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway And fools who came to scoff remain'd to pray.Oliver Goldsmith
29
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.Oliver Goldsmith
30
But in his duty prompt at every call He watch'd and wept he pray'd and felt for all.Oliver Goldsmith
31
The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition.Oliver Goldsmith
32
People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy.Oliver Goldsmith
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He who seeks for applause only from without has all his happiness in another's keeping.Oliver Goldsmith
34
He watch'd and wept he pray'd and felt for all.Oliver Goldsmith
35
I'll fares the land to hastening ills of prey Where wealth accumulates and men decay.Oliver Goldsmith
36
I'll 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.Oliver Goldsmith
37
A modest woman dressed out in all her finery is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.Oliver Goldsmith
38
If you were to make little fishes talk they would talk like whales.Oliver Goldsmith
39
I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.Oliver Goldsmith
40
Hope is such a bait, it covers any hook.Oliver Goldsmith
41
The best way to make your audience laugh is to start laughing yourself.Oliver Goldsmith
42
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!Oliver Goldsmith
43
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.Oliver Goldsmith
44
All that a husband or wife really wants is to be pitied a little, praised a little, and appreciated a little.Oliver Goldsmith
45
Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other.Oliver Goldsmith
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Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.Oliver Goldsmith
47
Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.Oliver Goldsmith
48
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.Oliver Goldsmith
49
The company of fools may first make us smile, but in the end we always feel melancholy.Oliver Goldsmith
50
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.Oliver Goldsmith
51
I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well.Oliver Goldsmith