523 Quotes by Oliver Goldsmith

Don’t let us make imaginary evils, when you know we have so many real ones to encounter.

Them that asks no questions isn’t told a lie.

The watch-dog’s voice that bay’d the whispering wind, And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.

And the weak soul, within itself unbless’d, Leans for all pleasure on another’s breast.

Of praise a mere glutton, he swallow’d what came, And the puff a dunce, he mistook it for fame; Till his relish grown callous, almost to displease, Who pepper’d the highest was surest to please.

And as a bird each fond endearment tries To tempt its new-fledg’d offspring to the skies, He tried each art, reprov’d each dull delay, Allur’d to brighter worlds, and led the way.

O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven’s decree!

The bounds of a man’s knowledge are easily concealed, if he has but prudence.

Careless their merits or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And even his failings lean’d to Virtue’s side.