Quotes from Oliver Goldsmith

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

His conduct still right with his argument wrong.

Learn the luxury of doing good

Paltry affectation, strained allusions, and disgusting finery are easily attained by those who choose to wear them; they are but too frequently the badges of ignorance or of stupidity, whenever it would endeavor to please

Those who place their affections at first on trifles for amusement, will find these become at last their most serious concerns.

To aim at excellence, our reputation, and friends, and all must be ventured; to aim at the average we run no risk and provide little service.

In arguing, too, the parson own'd his skill, For even though vanquished he could argue still.

I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects too. No, sir, these, I protest you, are too hard for me.

In arguing one should meet serious pleading with humor, and humor with serious pleading.

To a philosopher no circumstance, however trifling, is too minute.

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

The more various our artificial necessities, the wider is our circle of pleasure; for all pleasure consists in obviating necessities as they rise; luxury, therefore, as it increases our wants, increases our capacity for happiness

The best way to make your audience laugh is to start laughing yourself.

Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.

Tenderness, without a capacity of relieving, only makes the man who feels it more wretched than the object which sues for assistance.

Nor is there on earth a more powerful advocate for vice than poverty.

Of all kinds of ambition, that which pursues poetical fame is the wildest

Thus idly busy rolls their world away

Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law.

The English laws punish vice; the Chinese laws do more, they reward virtue.

The united voice of millions cannot lend the smallest foundation to falsehood.

O, blest retirement! friend to life's decline - How blest is he who crowns, in shades like these, A youth of labor with an age of ease!

His best companions, innocence and health;And his best riches, ignorance of wealth.

Romance and novel paint beauty in colors more charming than nature, and describe a happiness that humans never taste. How deceptive and destructive are those pictures of consummate bliss!