Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmithwas an Irish novelist, playwright and poet, who is best known for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield, his pastoral poem The Deserted Village, and his plays The Good-Natur'd Manand She Stoops to Conquer. He is thought to have written the classic children's tale The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth10 November 1730
CountryIreland
copy improve model people seldom themselves
People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after
cannot ear good hold people unto wondrous
Good people all, of every sort, / Give ear unto my song; / And if you do find it wondrous short, / It cannot hold you long.
people desire thousand
People seek within a short span of life to satisfy a thousand desires, each of which is insatiable.
country character people
The polite of every country seem to have but one character. A gentleman of Sweden differs but little, except in trifles, from one of any other country. It is among the vulgar we are to find those distinctions which characterize a people.
people praise spokes
Good people all, with one accord, Lament for Madam Blaize, Who never wanted a good word From those who spoke her praise.
people calm misfortunes-of-others
See me, how calm I am. Ay, people are generally calm at the misfortunes of others.
people talent endeavor
There are but few talents requisite to become a popular preacher; for the people are easily pleased if they perceive any endeavors in the orator to please them. The meanest qualifications will work this effect if the preacher sincerely sets about it.
fond love taste
I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines; and, I believe, Dorothy, you'll own I have been pretty fond of an old wife.
felicity ourselves
Still to ourselves in every place consigned, / Our own felicity we make or find.
bashful glance looks
The bashful virgin's side-long looks of love,/ The matron's glance that would those looks reprove.
mere
I'm now no more than a mere lodger in my own house.
beneath sweet
Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn.
land nurse
The land of scholars, and the nurse of arms.
game good royal rules twelve
The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose.