Henry Fielding
Henry Fielding
Henry Fieldingwas an English novelist and dramatist best known for his rich, earthy humour and satirical prowess, and as the author of the novel Tom Jones. Additionally, he holds a significant place in the history of law enforcement, having used his authority as a magistrate to foundwhat some have called London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners. His younger sister, Sarah, also became a successful writer...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth22 April 1707
book giving gentleman
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.
book mind example
It is a trite but true Observation, that Examples work more forcibly on the Mind than Precepts: and if this be just in what is odious and blameable, it is more strongly so in what is amiable and praiseworthy.
joining-in laughing mirth
The raillery which is consistent with good-breeding is a gentle animadversion of some foible, which, while it raises the laugh in the rest of the company, doth not put the person rallied out of countenance, or expose him to shame or contempt. On the contrary, the jest should be so delicate that the object of it should be capable of joining in the mirth it occasions.
eye done reason
There are those who never reason on what they should do, but what they have done; as if Reason had her eyes behind, and could only see backwards.
men numbers design
The man who is wantonly profuse of his promises ought to sink his credit as much as a tradesman would by uttering a great number of promissory notes payable at a distant day. The truest conclusion in both cases is, that neither intend or will be able to pay. And as the latter most probably intends to cheat you of your money, so the former at least designs to cheat you of your thanks.
latin conquer poet
What was said by the Latin poet of labor--that it conquers all things--is much more true when applied to impudence.
men giving stronger
To the generality of men you cannot give a stronger hint for them to impose upon you than by imposing upon yourself.
men desire may
Perhaps the summary of good-breeding may be reduced to this rule. "Behave unto all men as you would they should behave unto you." This will most certainly oblige us to treat all mankind with the utmost civility and respect, there being nothing that we desire more than to be treated so by them.
gambling luxury temptation
Gaming is a vice the more dangerous as it is deceitful; and, contrary to every other species of luxury, flatters its votaries with the hopes of increasing their wealth; so that avarice itself is so far from securing us against its temptations that it often betrays the more thoughtless and giddy part of mankind into them.
friendship pleasure highest
The highest friendship must always lead us to the highest pleasure.
fear justice faults
Fear hath the common fault of a justice of peace, and is apt to conclude hastily from every slight circumstance, without examining the evidence on both sides.
mind crime pardon
The exceptions of the scrupulous put one in mind of some general pardons where everything is forgiven except crimes.
character errors perfect
It is an error common to many to take the character of mankind from the worst and basest amongst them; whereas, as an excellent writer has observed, nothing should be esteemed as characteristical, of a species but what is to be found amongst the best and the most perfect individuals of that species.
character evil balance
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.