Quotes from Oliver Goldsmith

If we do not find happiness in the present moment, in what shall we find it?

Novels teach the youthful mind to sigh after happiness that never existed.

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

What if in Scotland's wilds we viel'd our head, Where tempests whistle round the sordid bed; Where the rug's two-fold use we might display, By night a blanket, and a plaid by day.

Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam, His first best country ever is at home.

The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowded with fruition.

Hope, like the gleaming taper

To the last moment of his breath, On hope the wretch relies; And even the pang preceding death Bids expectation rise.

Hope like the gleaming taper's light adorns and cheers our way And still as darker grows the night emits a lighter ray.

The ingratitude of the world can never deprive us of the conscious happiness of having acted with humanity ourselves.

Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, Adorns and cheers our way; And still, as darker grows the night, Emits a brighter ray.

At church with meek and unaffected grace His looks adorn'd the venerable place Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway And fools who came to scoff remain'd to pray.

At church with meek and unaffected grace His looks adorn'd the venerable place Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway And fools who came to scoff remain'd to pray.

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

There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue.

Law grinds the poor, and rich men rule the law.

An emperor in his nightcap will not meet with half the respect of an emperor with a crown.

The volume of Nature is the book of knowledge.

What is genius or courage without a heart?

And learn the luxury of doing good.

And still they gazed and still the wonder grew That one small head should carry all it knew.

Every absurdity has a champion to defend it.

The mind is ever ingenious in making its own distress.

And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, that one small head could carry all he knew.