Quotes from Daniel Defoe

Nothing's so partial as the laws of fate, Erecting blockheads to suppress the great. Sir Francis Drake the Spanish plate-fleet won; He had been a pirate if he had got none. Sir Walter Raleigh strove, but missed the plate, And therefore died a traitor to the State. Endeavour bears a value more or less, Just as 'tis recommended by success: The lucky coxcomb ev'ry man will prize, And prosp'rous actions always pass for wise.

No vaya a ser que la sorpresa arranque de su corazón el espíritu animal de la vida y termine con él. Pues las alegrías repentinas, como las penas, confunden al principio

companions being going by sea to London, in

I was struck with this letter as with a thousand wounds, such as I cannot describe; the reproaches of my own conscience were such as I cannot express, for I was not blind to my own crime;

which I look upon with contempt as the effect of manifest ignorance and enthusiasm;

He knew as well the stories of generosity and courage and self-sacrifice: the clergy who encouraged and comforted all who came – including the outcast Catholics, Jews, and Dissenters; the doctors who tended the poor without fees; the officials working quickly to calm panic and stave off disaster; the watchmen, the deadcart drivers, the 'buryers' at the pits; the parents and children and servants and friends who encouraged, comforted, tended, worked, saved, and mourned.

Necessity makes an honest man a knave.

L'attesa di un male è un supplizio assai più grave del male stesso, soprattutto se non abbiamo la possibilità di scuoterci di dosso quell'ansia tormentosa.

and I must be allowed to say of both, I hope without breach of Charity, that they heard Voices that never spake, and saw Sights that never appear'd;

Le traducteur de ce livre n'est point un traducteur, c'est tout bonnement un poète qui s'est pris de belle passion et de courage. Une des plus belles créations du génie anglais courait depuis un siècle par les rues avec des haillons sur le corps, de la boue sur la face et de la paille dans les cheveux;

But it seems that the government had a true account of it, and several counsels 5 were held about ways to prevent its coming over; but all was kept very private.

I know not what to call this, nor will I urge that it is a secret overruling decree, that hurries us on to be the instruments of our own destruction, even though it be before us, and that we rush upon it with our eyes open.

I looked back upon my past life with such horror, and my sins appeared so dreadful, that my soul sought nothing of God but deliverance from the load of guilt that bore down all my comfort.

whereas at that time they were increased as follows:— Dec. 20 to Dec. 27, St. Bride's 0 St. James's 8 Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, St. Bride's 6 St. James's 9 Jan. 3 to Jan. 10, St. Bride's 11 St. James's 7 Jan. 10 to Jan. 17, St. Bride's 12 St. James's 9 Jan. 17 to Jan. 24, St. Bride's 9 St. James's 15 Jan. 24 to Jan. 31, St. Bride's 8 St. James's 12 Jan. 31 to Feb. 7, St. Bride's 13 St. James's 5 Feb. 7 to Feb. 14, St. Bride's 12 St. James's 6

într-atâta este de adev?rat c? lipsa uneia singure dintre pl?cerile vieÈ›ii poate uneori otr?vi toate celelalte desf?t?ri.

husband; and so it may be supposed at first sight what a kind of life I led with him. However, I did as well as I could, and held my tongue, which was the only victory I gained over him; for when he would talk after his own empty rattling way with me, and I would not answer, or enter into discourse with him on the point he was upon, he would rise up in the greatest passion imaginable, and go away, which was the cheapest way I had to be delivered.

How strange a checker-work of Providence is the life of man!

This grieved me heartily ; and now I saw, though too late, the folly of beginning a work before we count the cost, and before we judge rightly of our own strength to go through with it.

Business neglected is business lost.

Vice came in always at the door of necessity, not at the door of inclination.

Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed.

From this amphibious ill-born mob beganThat vain, ill-natur'd thing, an Englishman.

Wherever God erects a house of prayer,The Devil always builds a chapel there;And 'twill be found, upon examination,The latter has the largest congregation.

And of all plagues with which mankind are curs'd,Ecclesiastic tyranny's the worst.