Quotes by "Henry Fielding"

Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.

His designs were strictly honourable, as the phrase is: that is, to rob a lady of her fortune by way of marriage.

Money is the fruit of evil as often as the root of it.

An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money.

Why, then,' answered the squire, 'I am very sorry you have given him so much learning; for, if he cannot get his living by that, it will rather spoil him for anything else; and your other son, who can hardly write his name, will do more at ploughing and sowing, and is in a better condition, than he.' And indeed so it proved; for the poor lad, not finding friends to maintain him in his learning, as he had expected, and being unwilling to work, fell to drinking, though he was a very sober lad before; and in a short time, partly with grief, and partly with good liquor, fell into a consumption, and died.

A truly elegant taste is generally accompanied with excellency of heart.

Guilt has very quick ears to an accusation.

The characteristic of coquettes is affectation governed by whim.

LOVE: A word properly applied to our delight in particular kinds of food; sometimes metaphorically spoken of the favorite objects of all our appetites.

Dancing begets warmth, which is the parent of wantonness.

Worth begets in base minds, envy; in great souls, emulation.

There is an insolence which none but those who themselves deserve contempt can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.

There is not in the universe a more ridiculous, nor a more contemptible animal, than a proud clergyman.

Commend a fool for his wit, or a rogue for his honesty and he will receive you into his favor.

We are as liable to be corrupted by books, as by companions.

He that can heroically endure adversity will bear prosperity with equal greatness of soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former is not likely to be transported with the later.

A good face they say, is a letter of recommendation. O Nature, Nature, why art thou so dishonest, as ever to send men with these false recommendations into the World!

Great joy, especially after a sudden change of circumstances, is apt to be silent, and dwells rather in the heart than on the tongue.

All nature wears one universal grin.

Conscience - the only incorruptible thing about us.