Samuel Richardson
Samuel Richardson
Samuel Richardsonwas an 18th-century English writer and printer. He is best known for his three epistolary novels: Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded, Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Ladyand The History of Sir Charles Grandison. Richardson was an established printer and publisher for most of his life and printed almost 500 different works, including journals and magazines. He was also known to collaborate closely with the London bookseller Andrew Millar on several occasions...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth19 August 1689
What the unpenetrating world call Humanity, is often no more than a weak mind pitying itself.
Though a censure lies against those who are poor and proud, yet is Pride sooner to be forgiven in a poor person than in a rich one; since in the latter it is insult and arrogance; in the former, it may be a defense against temptations to dishonesty; and, if manifested on proper occasions, may indicate a natural bravery of mind, which the frowns of fortune cannot depress.
The world, the wise world, that never is wrong itself, judges always by events. And if he should use me ill, then I shall be blamed for trusting him: if well, O then I did right, to be sure!--But how would my censurers act in my case, before the event justifies or condemns the action, is the question.
I never knew a man who deserved to be thought well of for his morals who had a slight opinion of our Sex in general.
Reverence to a woman in courtship is less to be dispensed with, as, generally, there is but little of it shown afterwards.
The coyest maids make the fondest wives.
Those commands of superiors which are contrary to our first duties are not to be obeyed.
Evil courses can yield pleasure no longer than while thought and reflection can be kept off.
Platonic love is platonic nonsense.
Women are sometimes drawn in to believe against probability by the unwillingness they have to doubt their own merit.
Things we wish to be true are apt to gain too ready credit with us.
Distresses, however heavy at the time, appear light, and even joyous, to the reflecting mind, when worthily overcome.
The person who is worthiest to live, is fittest to die.
If a woman knows a man to be a libertine, yet will, without scruple, give him her company, he will think half the ceremony between them is over; and will probably only want an opportunity to make her repent of her confidence in him.