259 Quotes by Henry Fielding

Hairbreadth missings of happiness look like the insults of Fortune.

However exquisitely human nature may have been described by writers, the true practical system can be learned only in the world.

A tender-hearted and compassionate disposition, which inclines men to pity and feel the misfortunes of others, and which is, even for its own sake, incapable of involving any man in ruin and misery, is of all tempers of mind the most amiable; and though it seldom receives much honor, is worthy of the highest.

What a silly fellow must he be who would do the devil's work for free.

Yes, I had two strings to my bow; both golden ones, egad! and both cracked.

Some general officers should pay a stricter regard to truth than to call the depopulating other countries the service of their own.

The blackest ink of fate are sure my lot, And when fate writ my name it made a blot.

I look upon the vulgar observation, 'That the devil often deserts his friends, and leaves them in the lurch,' to be a great abuse on that gentleman's character. Perhaps he may sometimes desert those who are only his cup acquaintance; or who, at most, are but half his; but he generally stands by those who are thoroughly his servants, and helps them off in all extremities, till their bargain expires.

Guilt, on the contrary, like a base thief, suspects every eye that beholds him to be privy to his transgressions, and every tongue that mentions his name to be proclaiming them.