Oliver Goldsmith: Trending quotes

“As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,—
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head.”

Source: The Deserted Village (1770), Line 167.

“We are the boys
That fear no noise
Where the thundering cannons roar.”

Source: The Deserted Village (1770), Line 189.

“The very pink of perfection.”

She Stoops to Conquer (1771), Act II

“A modest woman, dressed out in all her finery, is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.”

She Stoops to Conquer (1771), Act I

“O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree!”

She Stoops to Conquer (1771), Act II

“The dog, to gain some private ends,
Went mad, and bit the man.”

Source: The Deserted Village (1770), Line 385.

“The canvas glow'd beyond ev'n Nature warm,
The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form.”

Source: The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), Ch. 17, An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog, st. 5.

“To men of other minds my fancy flies,
Embosomed in the deep where Holland lies.
Methinks her patient sons before me stand,
Where the broad ocean leans against the land.”

Source: The Traveller (1764), Line 137.

“We modest Gentlemen don't want for much success among the women.”

Source: The Traveller (1764), Line 281.

“A book may be very amusing with numerous errors, or it may be very dull without a single absurdity.”

She Stoops to Conquer (1771), Act IV

“The only art her guilt to cover,
To hide her shame from every eye,
To give repentance to her lover,
And wring his bosom, is — to die.”

Preface.
The Vicar of Wakefield (1766)

“Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such,
We scarcely can praise it, or blame it too much;
Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind,
And to party gave up what was meant for mankind;
Though fraught with all learning, yet straining his throat
To persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote.
Who too deep for his hearers still went on refining,
And thought of convincing while they thought of dining:
Though equal to all things, for all things unfit;
Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit.”

Source: The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), Ch. 29, Song, st. 2.

“Where village statesmen talked with looks profound,
And news much older than their ale went round.”

Source: Retaliation (1774), Line 29.

“Who mix'd reason with pleasure, and wisdom with mirth:
If he had any faults, he has left us in doubt.”

Source: The Deserted Village (1770), Line 223.

“Oh sir! I must not tell my age.
They say women and music should never be dated.”

Source: Retaliation (1774), Line 24.

“I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects too.”

She Stoops to Conquer (1771), Act III

“To what happy accident is it that we owe so unexpected a visit?”

Source: The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), Ch. 7.

“A man he was to all the country dear,
And passing rich with forty pounds a year.”

Source: The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), Ch. 19.