523 Quotes by Oliver Goldsmith

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the least manageable and the most likely to stray from the course. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate ones.

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.

Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt: It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.

He who fights and runs away May live to fight another day; But he who is battle slain Can never rise to fight again.

All is not gold that glitters, pleasure seems sweet, but proves a glass of bitters.

We are not to judge of the feelings of others by what we might feel if in their place. However dark the habitation of the mole to our eyes, yet the animal itself finds the apartment sufficiently lightsome.

Now, Sir, for my own part, as I naturally hate the face of a tyrant, the farther off he is removed from me, the better pleased am I. The generality of mankind also are of my way of thinking, and have unanimously created one king, whose election at once diminishes the number of tyrants, and puts tyranny at the greatest distance from the greatest number of people.

Premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow.

People seldom improve when they have no model but themselves to copy after.