
Samuel RichardsonSamuel Richardson (August 19, 1689 - July 4, 1761) was an 18th-century English writer, widely regarded as one of the founders of the modern English novel. Born in London during the reign of James II, he initially worked in book printing and publishing before turning to writing. Richardson's major works include 'Pamela,' 'Clarissa,' and 'Sir Charles Grandison,' which are renowned for their psychological depth and vivid character development. He pioneered the use of diary and epistolary formats, allowing readers intimate access to characters' inner worlds. His novels were immensely popular in their time and significantly influenced the development of the novel form, particularly in psychological characterization and social commentary. Richardson's focus on moral instruction and feminine virtue reflected 18th-century English societal values. more
“Those who have least to do are generally the most busy people in the world.”
Source: The history of sir Charles Grandison, in a series of letters publ. by the editor of Pamela. To which is added A brief history of the treatment which the editor has met with from certain booksellers and printers in Dublin
“Humility is a grace that shines in a high condition but cannot, equally, in a low one because a person in the latter is already, perhaps, too much humbled.”
Source: A collection of the moral and instructive sentiments: a facsimile reproduction
“A Stander-by is often a better judge of the game than those that play.”
Source: Clarissa Harlowe, or The History of a Young Lady - Complete
“People of little understanding are most apt to be angry when their sense is called into question.”
Source: Clarissa; Or, The History of a Young Lady: Comprehending the Most Important Concerns of Private Life
“Every scholar, I presume, is not, necessarily, a man of sense.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Samuel Richardson (Illustrated)
“Those we dislike can do nothing to please us.”
Source: Clarissa, or, The history of a young lady: comprehending the most important concerns of private life
“All human excellence is but comparative — there are persons who excel us, as much as we fancy we excel the meanest.”
“Women are so much in love with compliments that rather than want them, they will compliment one another, yet mean no more by it than the men do.”
Source: A collection of the moral and instructive sentiments, maxims, cautions, and reflexions, contained in the histories of Pamela, Clarissa, and Sir Charles Grandison: Digested under proper heads, with references to the volume, ...
“Women do not often fall in love with philosophers.”
Source: A collection of the moral and instructive sentiments, maxims, cautions, and reflexions, contained in the histories of Pamela, Clarissa, and Sir Charles Grandison: Digested under proper heads, with references to the volume, ...
“Women love to be called cruel, even when they are kindest.”
Source: Clarissa; Or, The History of a Young Lady: Comprehending the Most Important Concerns of Private Life