Quotes by Oliver Goldsmith

About Oliver Goldsmith:

Oliver Goldsmith is best known for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), his pastoral poem The Deserted Village (1770), and his plays The Good-Natur'd Man (1768) and She Stoops to Conquer (1771, first performed in 1773). He is thought to have written the classic children's tale The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes (1765).
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The first time I read an excellent book, it is to me just as if I had gained a new friend. When I read a book over I have perused before, it resembles the meeting with an old one.

Oliver Goldsmith

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.

Oliver Goldsmith

When lovely woman stoops to folly, and finds too late that men betray, what charm can soothe her melancholy, what art can wash her guilt away?

Oliver Goldsmith

Be not affronted at a joke. If one throw salt at thee, thou wilt receive no harm, unless thou art raw.

Oliver Goldsmith

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

Oliver Goldsmith

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

Oliver Goldsmith

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

Oliver Goldsmith

I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines.

Oliver Goldsmith

…The more enormous our wealth, the more extensive our fears, all our possessions are paled up with new edicts every day, and hung round with gibbets to scare every invader.

Oliver Goldsmith

Surely the best way to meet the enemy is head on in the field and not wait till they plunder our very homes.

Oliver Goldsmith

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

Oliver Goldsmith

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

Oliver Goldsmith

Every absurdity has a champion to defend it.

Oliver Goldsmith

If you were to make little fishes talk, they would talk like whales.

Oliver Goldsmith

Write how you want, the critic shall show the world you could have written better.

Oliver Goldsmith

Ceremonies are different in every country, but true politeness is everywhere the same.

Oliver Goldsmith

Girls like to be played with, and rumpled a little too, sometimes.

Oliver Goldsmith

Honour sinks where commerce long prevails.

Oliver Goldsmith

The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowded with fruition.

Oliver Goldsmith

With disadvantages enough to bring him to humility, a Scotsman is one of the proudest things alive.

Oliver Goldsmith

Author Bio

  • NameOliver Goldsmith
  • DescriptionIrish physician and writer
  • BornNovember 10, 1728
  • DiedApril 4, 1774
  • CountryIreland
  • ProfessionPhysician; Writer; Poet