523 Quotes by Oliver Goldsmith

As for disappointing them I should not so much mind; but I can’t abide to disappoint myself.

Offences are easily pardoned where there is love at the bottom.

This is that eloquence the ancients represented as lightning, bearing down every opposer; this the power which has turned whole assemblies into astonishment, admiration and awe- – that is described by the torrent, the flame, and every other instance of irresistible impetuosity.

O friendship! thou fond soother of the human breast, to thee we fly in every calamity; to thee the wretched seek for succor; on thee the care-tired son of misery fondly relies; from thy kind assistance the unfortunate always hopes relief, and may be sure of – disappointment.

Thus the people, who could not bear the very name of king, readily submitted to a magistrate possessed of much greater power; so much do the names of things mislead us, and so little is any form of government irksome to the people, when it coincides with their prejudices.

Age, that lessens the enjoyment of life, increases our desire of living.

In two opposite opinions, if one be perfectly reasonable, the other can’t be perfectly right.

It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition.

A man’s own heart must ever be given to gain that of another.