Oliver Goldsmith

Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry.

Man wants but little here below nor wants that little long.

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

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

Laws grind the poor and rich men rule the law.

People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after.

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

To make a fine gentleman several trades are required but chiefly a barber.

Philosophy ... should not pretend to increase our present stock but make us economists of what we are possessed of.

Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no fibs.

He who fights and runs away May live to fight another day. But he who is in battle slain Can never rise to fight again.

Conscience is a coward and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse.

Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.

In all my wanderings through this world of care,In all my griefs -- and God has given my share --I still had hopes, my latest hours to crown,Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down;To husband out life's taper at the close,And keep the flame from wasting, by repose:I still had hopes, for pride attends us still,Amidst the swains to show my book-learn'd skill,Around my fire an evening group to draw,And tell of all I felt, and all I saw;And, as a hare, whom hounds and horns pursue,Pants to the place from whence at first she flew,I still had hopes, my long vexations past,Here to return -- and die at home at last.

They may talk of a comet, or a burning mountain, or some such bagatelle; but to me a modest woman, dressed out in all her finery, is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.