I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well.

— Oliver Goldsmith

If you were to make little fishes talk they would talk like whales.

— Oliver Goldsmith

I'll fare the land to hastening ills a prey Where wealth accumulates and men decay Princes and Lords may flourish or may fade - A breath can make them as a breath has made - But a bold peasantry their country's pride When once destroy'd can never be supplied.

— Oliver Goldsmith

I'll fare the land to hastening ills of prey Where wealth accumulates and men decay.

— Oliver Goldsmith

I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines.

— Oliver Goldsmith

I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.

— Oliver Goldsmith

In all my wanderings through this world of care, In all my griefs -- and God has given my share --I still had hopes, my latest hours to crown, Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down;To husband out life's taper at the close, And keep the flame from wasting, by repose:I still had hopes, for pride attends us still, Amidst the swains to show my book-learn'd skill, Around my fire an evening group to draw, And tell of all I felt, and all I saw;And, as a hare, whom hounds and horns pursue, Pants to the place from whence at first she flew, I still had hopes, my long vexations past, Here to return -- and die at home at last.

— Oliver Goldsmith

Laws grind the poor and rich men rule the law.

— Oliver Goldsmith

Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.

— Oliver Goldsmith

Man wants but little here below nor wants that little long.

— Oliver Goldsmith