"It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition."

Oliver Goldsmith Literature See all quotes by Oliver Goldsmith →

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“These little things are great to little man.”

“As writers become more numerous, it is natural for readers to become more indolent.”

“And learn the luxury of doing good.”

“The best-humour'd man, with the worst-humour'd Muse.”

“I...chose a wife, as she did her wedding gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well.”

“But winter lingering chills the lap of May.”

Resonant Thoughts

"After fierce political discussion over more than twenty years, the British commitment to Europe is now firmly established. As I have said we ask for no exemptions or privileges. We recognise the conce…"

— Douglas Hurd

Politics1930

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"CINCUS to Vandegrift for his flyers- Many happy returns Sunday and congratulations- Keep knocking them off."

— Ernest King

Military1878–1956

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"I feel gross about it. I remember saving up for a surfboard when I was younger. The surfboard was 600 bucks and I saved up for a whole year with Dad’s help. I didn’t even want to surf on it for fear o…"

— Chris Hemsworth

Entertainment1983

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"The 'public' is a phantom, the phantom of an opinion supposed to exist in a vast number of persons who have no effective interrelation and though the opinion is not effectively present in the units. S…"

— Karl Jaspers

Philosophy1883–1969

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