WIST Quotations

Fielding, Henry -- “A Fragment of a Comment on Lord Bolingbroke’s Essays” (1755)

Dave — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 00:22:14 +0000

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

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
“A Fragment of a Comment on Lord Bolingbroke’s Essays” (1755)

Fielding, Henry -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:05:31 +0000

There are two considerations which always imbitter the heart of an avaricious man — the one is a perpetual thirst after more riches, the other the prospect of leaving what he has already acquired.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
(Attributed)

Attributed in Maturin M. Ballou, Treasury of Thought (1884)

Fielding, Henry -- A History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, Book 4, ch. 12 (1749)

Dave — Fri, 23 May 2014 18:14:00 +0000

Handsome is that handsome does.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
A History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, Book 4, ch. 12 (1749)

Fielding, Henry -- Amelia, ch. 11 (1751)

Dave — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 04:15:55 +0000

Guilt hath very quick ears to an accusation.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
Amelia, ch. 11 (1751)
(Source)

Fielding, Henry -- Covent Garden Journal, #56 (25 Jul 1752)

Dave — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 17:52:11 +0000

At the Conclusion of my last Paper, I asserted that the Summary of Good Breeding was no other than that comprehensive and exalted Rule, which the greatest Authority hath told is is the Sum Total of all Religion and all Morality.

Here, however, my Readers will be pleased to observe that the subject Matter of good Breeding being only what is called Behavior, it is this only to which we are to apply it on the present Occasion. Perhaps therefore we shall be better understood if we vary the Word, and read it thus: Behave unto all Men, as you would they should be behave unto you.

This will most certainly oblige us to treat all Mankind with the utmost Civility and Respect, there being nothing which we desire more than to be treated so by them.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
Covent Garden Journal, #56 (25 Jul 1752)
(Source)

Fielding, Henry -- The Covent-Garden Journal, #44 (2 Jun 1752)

Dave — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 13:10:22 +0000

A rich man without charity is a rogue; and perhaps it would be no difficult matter to prove that he is also a fool.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
The Covent-Garden Journal, #44 (2 Jun 1752)
(Source)

Fielding, Henry -- The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, Book 2, ch. 7 (1749)

Dave — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 23:02:09 +0000

There is, perhaps, no surer mark of folly, than an attempt to correct the natural infirmities of those we love. The finest composition of human nature, as well as the finest china, may have a flaw in it; and this, I am afraid, in either case, is equally incurable; though, nevertheless, the pattern may remain of the highest value.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, Book 2, ch. 7 (1749)
(Source)

Fielding, Henry -- The Life and Death of Jonathan Wild, the Great, Vol. 5 (1743)

Dave — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 15:56:31 +0000

We should not be too hasty in bestowing either our praise or censure on mankind, since we shall often find such a mixture of good and evil in the same character, that it may require a very accurate judgment and a very elaborate inquiry to determine on which side the balance turns.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
The Life and Death of Jonathan Wild, the Great, Vol. 5 (1743)
(Source)

Fielding, Henry -- The Miser, 3.7 (1733)

Dave — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 12:22:17 +0000

He is not genteel, handsome, witty, brave, good-humored, but he is rich, rich, rich, rich, rich — that one word contradicts everything you can say against him.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
The Miser, 3.7 (1733)

Fielding, Henry -- The Temple Beau, Act 1, sc. 1 (1729)

Dave — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:03:30 +0000

The slander of some people is as great a recommendation as the praise of others. For one is as much hated by the dissolute world, on the score of virtue, as by the good, on that of vice.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English novelist, dramatist, satirist
The Temple Beau, Act 1, sc. 1 (1729)
(Source)