Oliver Goldsmith Quotes on Goldsmith

17 quotes

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

  2. Good people all, with one acord, Lament for Madame Blaize, Who never wanted a good word - From those who spoke her praise.

  3. That strain once more; it bids remembrance rise.

  4. But winter lingering chills the lap of May.

  5. A book may be very amusing with numerous errors, or it may be very dull without a single absurdity.

  6. Handsome is that handsome does.

    #31 Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
  7. The dog, to gain some private ends, Went mad, and bit the man.

  8. The bashful virgin's sidelong looks of love, The matron's glance that would those looks reprove.

    #50 Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
  9. How happy he who crowns in shades like these, A youth of labour with an age of ease.

  10. A man he was to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year.

  11. Careless their merits or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And e'en his failings leaned to Virtue's side.

  12. Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray.

  13. Let schoolmasters puzzle their brain, With grammar, and nonsense, and learning; Good liquor, I stoutly maintain, Gives genus a better discerning.

  14. We are the boys That fear no noise Where the thundering cannons roar.

  15. We modest Gentlemen don't want for much success among the women.

  16. Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such, We scarcely can praise it, or blame it too much; Who, born for the universe, narrowed his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind... Who, too deep for his hearers, still went on refining. And thought of convincing while they thought of dining; Though equal to all things, for all things unfit; Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit.

  17. As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.

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