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Quote by Sarah Fielding

“I know not whether it would be too bold an assertion to say that candor makes capacity.... But in order to try the truth of any observation relating to the mind, the easiest method is to illustrate it by outward objects. If, for instance, a man was to sweat and labor all the days of his life to fill a chest which was already full, the absurdity of his vain endeavor would be glaring. In the same manner, when the human mind is filled and stuffed with notions brought thither by fallacious inclinations, there is no room for truth to enter: candor being banished, passions alone bear the sway.”

Author

Sarah Fielding

Sarah Fielding, an 18th-century British author, is renowned for her novels and children's literature. Her works are known for their satirical and humorous style and have had a profound impact on the development of children's literature. more

“Thoroughly to unfold the labyrinths of the human mind is an arduous task.... In order to dive into those recesses and lay them open to the reader in a striking and intelligible manner, 'tis necessary to assume a certain freedom in writing, not strictly perhaps within the limits prescribed by rules.”

Writing Mind Humans Certain Order Reader Limits Tasks Lays Assuming Human Mind Labyrinth Recess

Book:The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia

Source: The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia

“Men look on knowledge which they learn--or might learn--from others as they do on the most beautiful structures which are not their own: in outward objects, they would rather behold their own hogsty than their neighbor's palace; and in mental ones, would prefer one grain of knowledge gained by their own observation to all the wisdom of a thousand Solomons.”

Men Looks Might Beautiful Objects Thousand Economics Structure Property Neighbor Observation Grain Palaces Solomon Knowledge Gained

Author:Sarah Fielding

“The motives to actions and the inward turns of mind seem in our opinion more necessary to be known than the actions themselves; and much rather would we choose that our reader should clearly understand what our principal actors think than what they do.”

Thinking Should Mind Seems Action Turns Actors Fiction Known Opinion Reader Motive Principal Inward

Author:Sarah Fielding

“Yet if strict criticism should till frown on our method, let candor and good humor forgive what is done to the best of our judgment, for the sake of perspicuity in the story and the delight and entertainment of our candid reader.”