Quotes About Daniel Defoe

William Blake is dreaming of Jerusalem under that sod, and Daniel Defoe is probably dreaming about something a fair bit earthier. You've also got John Owen and Isaac Watts, the reservoir dogs of eighteenth-century theology. What can I tell you? I just feel at ease in their company.

In a word, the nature and experience of things dictated to me, upon just reflection, that all the good things of this world are no farther good to us than they are for our use; and that, whatever we may heap up to give others, we enjoy just as much as we can use, and no more. 

abused prosperity is oftentimes made the means of our greatest adversity

for me to think of such a voyage was the most preposterous thing that ever man in such circumstances could be guilty of.

Daniel Defoe—arguably the most prolific writer in the English language and considered by many the father of the novel and the founder of modern journalism—

In 1719—at the age of 59—Defoe turned his attention for the first time to an extended work of prose fiction, presenting his account of events of which he had no direct experience. Robinson Crusoe, the account of the shipwreck and survival of one man, became a great success, and Defoe turned his full attention to his lucrative writing career.

very bad indeed. Defoe never acquired a really good style, and can in no true sense be called a master of the English tongue. Nature had gifted Defoe with untiring energy, a keen taste for public affairs

invisible creatures, who enter into the body with the breath, or even at the pores with the air, and there generate or emit most acute poisons, or poisonous ovae or eggs

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;

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.

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

Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself when apparent to the eyes ; and we find the burden of anxiety greater, by much, than the evil which we are anxious about : ...