Frances Burney quotes

To despise riches may, indeed, be philosophic; but to dispense them worthily must, surely, be more beneficial to mankind. (Frances Burney)
I cannot be much pleased without an appearance of truth; at least of possibility - I wish the history to be natural though the sentiments are refined; and the characters to be probable, though their behaviour is excelling. View quote
Frances Burney
it has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty. View quote
Frances Burney
A youthful mind is seldom totally free from ambition; to curb that, is the first step to contentment, since to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment. View quote
Frances Burney
Money is the source of the greatest vice, & that Nation which is most rich, is most wicked. View quote
Frances Burney
To have some account of my thoughts, manners, acquaintance and actions, when the hour arrives in which time is more nimble than memory, is the reason which induces me to keep a journal: a journal in which I must confess my every thought, must open my whole heart! View quote
Frances Burney
I am too inexperienced and ignorant to conduct myself with propriety in this town, where every thing is new to me, and many things are unaccountable and perplexing. View quote
Frances Burney
I looked about for some of my acquaintance, but in vain, for I saw not one person that I knew, which is very odd, for all the world seemed there. View quote
Frances Burney
I am ashamed of confessing that I have nothing to confess. View quote
Frances Burney
Nothing is so delicate as the reputation of a woman; it is at once the most beautiful and most brittle of all human things. View quote
Frances Burney
Tired, ashamed, and mortified, I begged to sit down till we returned home, which I did soon after. Lord Orville did me the honour to hand me to the coach, talking all the way of the honour I had done him ! O these fashionable people! (Frances Burney)
Unused to the situations in which I find myself, and embarassed by the slightest difficulties, I seldom discover, till too late, how I ought to act. View quote
Frances Burney
There is something in age that ever, even in its own despite, must be venerable, must create respect and to have it ill treated, is to me worse, more cruel and wicked than anything on earth. View quote
Frances Burney
Insensibility, of all kinds, and on all occasions, most moves my imperial displeasure. View quote
Frances Burney
When once-which every body must be-you are convinced of the wickedness and deceit of men, it is impossible to preserve untainted your own innocence of heart. Experience will prove the depravity of mankind, and the conviction of it only serves to create distrust, suspicion-caution-and sometimes causelessly. View quote
Frances Burney
Look at your [English] ladies of quality are they not forever parting with their husbands - forfeiting their reputations - and is their life aught but dissipation? In common genteel life, indeed, you may now and then meet with very fine girls - who have politeness, sense and conversation - but these are few - and then look at your trademen's daughters - what are they? poor creatures indeed! all pertness, imitation and folly. View quote
Frances Burney
he said, 'Madam-may I presume?'-and stopped, offering to take my hand. I...could scarce forbear laughing. 'Allow me, Madam,' continuing he, affectedly breaking off every half moment, 'the honour and happiness...the happiness and honor... View quote
Frances Burney
No, Madam,' cried I, '-only-only I did not know that gentleman,-and so,-and so I thought-I intended-I-' Overpowered by all that had passed, I had not strength to make my mortifying explanation; - my spirits quite failed me, and I burst into tears. View quote
Frances Burney
I cannot sleep - great joy is as restless as great sorrow. View quote
Frances Burney
But if the young are never tired of erring in conduct, neither are the older in erring of judgment. View quote
Frances Burney
Travelling is the ruin of all happiness. There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy. (Frances Burney)
For my part, I confess I seldom listen to the players: one has so much to do, in looking about and finding out one's acquaintance, that, really, one has no time to mind the stage. One merely comes to meet one's friends, and show that one's alive. View quote
Frances Burney
The mind is but too naturally prone to pleasure, but too easily yielded to dissipation. View quote
Frances Burney
People who live together naturally catch the looks and air of one another and without having one feature alike, they contract a something in the whole countenance which strikes one as a resemblance. View quote
Frances Burney
To whom, then, must I dedicate my wonderful, surprising and interesting adventures? to whom dare I reveal my private opinion of my nearest relations? the secret thoughts of my dearest friends? my own hopes, fears, reflections and dislikes? Nobody! View quote
Frances Burney