18th-century Author Quotes

I assure you my professions never go beyond my intentions...

Elizabeth Inchbald
Elizabeth Inchbald
Well, but the joy to see my works in print!
Myself too pictur'd in a mezzo-tint!

We are better deceived by having some truth told us than none.

But thou mayst grant this humble prayer,
Forget me not! forget me not!

I was most incorrigibly devoted to versifying, and all my spouse's wholesome admonitions had no manner of effect on me; in short, I believe this scribbling itch is an incurable disease...

Tis emblematic, the rose of youth and health soon fades when watered by the tear of affliction.

Susanna Rowson
Susanna Rowson
In following their line through, and those of Plantagenet and Tudor, there is but little to soothe the mind.

How happily, how happily, the flowers die away!
Oh! Could we but return to earth as easily as they.

The progress of the American Revolution has been so rapid and such the alteration of manners, the blending of characters, and the new train of ideas that almost universally prevail, that the principles which animated to the noblest exertions have been nearly annihilated.

Mercy Otis Warren
Mercy Otis Warren
There are some secrets which scarcely admit of being disclosed even to ourselves.

Hard is the task, O Queen! that you impose,
To tear my bosom with reviving woes.

It was a day of gloom, and strange suspense,
And feverish, and inexplicable dread,
In Herculaneum's walls. The heavy, thick,
And torrid atmosphere; the solid, vast,
And strong—edg'd clouds, that through the firmament
In various and opposing courses moved:—
The wild scream of the solitary bird
That, at long intervals, flew terror-driven
On high:—the howling of the red-ey'd dog
As he gaz'd trembling on the angry heavens:-
The hollow moans that swept along the air,
Though every wind was lock'd,-portended all
That nature with some dire event was big,
And labour'd in its birth.

All books avoid, for they
Are the disgrace of our humanity,
And the assassins of the human race.
Mark well my words: the true
Philosophy consists in growing fat.

While thousands tossed by the sea,
And others settled down,
God's tender mercy set thee free,
From dangers that come down.

When gloaming treads the heels of day
And birds sit cowering on the spray,
Along the flowery hedge I stray,
To meet mine ain dear somebody.

The wise maketh every thing the means of advantage; and with the same countenance beholdeth he all the faces of fortune: he governeth the good, he conquereth the evil; he is unmov'd in all. Presume not in prosperity, neither despair thou in adversity.

How still the morning of the hallow'd day! Mute is the voice of rural labour, hush'd The ploughboy's whistle, and the milkmaid's song.

O Lord, I wish to promote thy holy religion which is dreadfully neglected. I am desirous to save young persons from the vices of the age.

Not she with trait'rous kiss her Saviour stung, Not she denied him with unholy tongue; She, while apostles shrank, could danger brave, Last at his cross and earliest at his grave.

.. a dirty exterior is a great enemy to beauty of all descriptions.

Mary Martha Sherwood
Mary Martha Sherwood
Early rising is also essential to the good government of a family. A late breakfast deranges the whole business of the day, and throws a portion of it on the next, which opens the door for confusion to enter.

Find earth where grows no weed, and you may find a heart wherein no error grows.

James Sheridan Knowles
James Sheridan Knowles
Time's stern tide, with cold Oblivion's wave, Shall soon dissolve each fair, each fading charm.

Anna Seward
Anna Seward
It were a blessed sight to see That child become a willow tree, His brother trees among. He'd be four times as tall as me, And live three times as long.

I know that there is not in the world a more subtle poison than that which is extracted from and administered by books.

Charlotte Dacre
Charlotte Dacre