Frances Burney quotes - page 2

A private ball this was called...but Lord! my dear Sir, I believe I saw half the world! (Frances Burney)
We continually say things to support an opinion, which we have given, that in reality we don't above half mean. View quote
Frances Burney
We relate all our afflictions more frequently than we do our pleasures. View quote
Frances Burney
How truly does this journal contain my real and undisguised thoughts--I always write it according to the humour I am in, and if astranger was to think it worth reading, how capricious--insolent & whimsical I must appear!--one moment flighty and half mad,--the next sad and melancholy. No matter! Its truth and simplicity are its sole recommendations. View quote
Frances Burney
When young people are too rigidly sequestered from [the world], their lively and romantic imaginations paint it to them as a paradise of which they have been beguiled; but when they are shown it properly, and in due time, they see it such as it really is, equally shared by pain and pleasure, hope and disappointment. View quote
Frances Burney
Those who wander in the world avowedly and purposely in pursuit of happiness, who view every scene of present joy with an eye to what may succeed, certainly are more liable to disappointment, misfortune and unhappiness, than those who give up their fate to chance and take the goods and evils of fortune as they come, without making happiness their study, or misery their foresight. View quote
Frances Burney
How little has situation to do with happiness. The happy individual uses their intelligence to realise things could be worse and therefore is grateful and happy. The unhappy individual does the opposite! View quote
Frances Burney
But authors before they write should read. View quote
Frances Burney
Credulity is the sister of innocence. View quote
Frances Burney
You must learn not only to judge but to act for yourself. View quote
Frances Burney
I wish the opera was every night. It is, of all entertainments, the sweetest and most delightful. Some of the songs seemed to melt my very soul. (Frances Burney)
Generosity without delicacy, like wit without judgment, generally gives as much pain as pleasure. View quote
Frances Burney
To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind. View quote
Frances Burney
Tis best to build no castles in the air. View quote
Frances Burney
No man is in love when he marries. He may have loved before; I have even heard he has sometimes loved after: but at the time never. There is something in the formalities of the matrimonial preparations that drive away all the little cupidons. View quote
Frances Burney
Imagination took the reins, and reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to a race with so eccentric and flighty a companion. View quote
Frances Burney
such is the effect of true politeness, that it banishes all restraint and embarassment. View quote
Frances Burney
... there's nothing but quarreling with the women; it's my belief they like it better than victuals and drink. View quote
Frances Burney
Wealth per se I never too much valued, and my acquaintance with its possessors has by no means increased my veneration for it. View quote
Frances Burney
don't be angry with the gentleman for thinking, whatever be the cause, for I assure you he makes no common practice of offending in that way. View quote
Frances Burney
There's no nation under the sun can beat the English for ill-politeness: for my part, I hate the very sight of them; and so I shall only just visit a person of quality or two of my particular acquaintance, and then I shall go back again to France. (Frances Burney)
Never shall I recollect the occasion he gave me of displeasure, without feeling it renewed. View quote
Frances Burney
She [Evelina] is not, indeed, like most modern young ladies; to be known in half an hour; her modest worth, and fearful excellence, require both time and encouragement to show themselves. View quote
Frances Burney
while we all desire to live long, we have all a horror of being old! View quote
Frances Burney
to be sure, marriage is all in all with the ladies; but with us gentlemen it's quite another thing! View quote
Frances Burney