Quotes by Oliver Goldsmith

“The company of fools may first make us smile, but in the end we always feel melancholy.”

“Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.”

“A great source of calamity lies in regret and anticipation; therefore a person is wise who thinks of the present alone, regardless of the past or future.”

“I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well.”

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

“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.”

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

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

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

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

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

“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.”

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

“Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry.”

“Man wants but little here below Nor wants that little long.”

“Philosophy is a good horse in the stable but an errant jade on a journey.”

“The very pink of perfection.”

“The man recover'd of the bite The dog it was that died.”