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Quote by Oliver Goldsmith

Work

The Vicar of Wakefield

This eighteenth-century novel explores the trials and tribulations of a vicar and his family, depicting their journey through various life challenges and the enduring bonds of family love. more

Author

Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith

Oliver Goldsmith was an Irish novelist, playwright, poet, and physician. He is best known for his novel 'The Vicar of Wakefield' and his plays 'She Stoops to Conquer' and 'The Good-Natur'd Man'. Goldsmith's works are characterized by their wit, humor, and moral depth. more

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“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!”

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Book:The works of Oliver Goldsmith: Vicar of Wakefield, select poems and comedies, with intr., notes and a life by J.F. Waller
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“See me, how calm I am. Ay, people are generally calm at the misfortunes of others.”

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Book:Comedy of She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night. By Dr. Goldsmith. Adapted for Theatrical Representation, as Performed at the Theatres-royal Covent-Garden and Drury-Lane ... with the Life of the Author, and a Critique, by R. Cumberland, Esq
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“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.”

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Book:An inquiry into the present state of polite learning. The Bee. History of Cyrillo Padovano. Life of Dr. Parnell. Life of Lord Bolingbroke. Prefaces and introductions
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“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.”

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Book:The Miscellaneous Works: Poems. Miscellaneous pieces. Dramas. Criticism relating to poetry and the belles-lettres
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“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.”

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Book:The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M. B.: Including a Variety of Pieces
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