Frances Burney Quotes

83 Sourced Quotes

To despise riches, may, indeed, be philosophic, but to dispense them worthily, must surely be more beneficial to mankind.

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

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!

Frances Burney
But if the young are never tired of erring in conduct, neither are the older in erring of judgment.

Frances Burney
I cannot sleep — great joy is as restless as sorrow.

Frances Burney
The mind is but too naturally prone to pleasure, but too easily yielded to dissipation.

Frances Burney
Traveling is the ruin of all happiness! There's no looking at a building after seeing Italy.

Frances Burney
I am ashamed of confessing that I have nothing to confess.

Frances Burney
In England, I was quite struck to see how forward the girls are made--a child of 10 years old, will chat and keep you company, while her parents are busy or out etc.--with the ease of a woman of 26. But then, how does this education go on?--Not at all: it absolutely stops short.

Frances Burney
We relate all our afflictions more frequently than we do our pleasures.

Frances Burney
Can any thing, my good Sir, be more painful to a friendly mind than a necessity of communicating disagreeable intelligence? Indeed, it is sometimes difficult to determine, whether the relater or the receiver of evil tidings is most to be pitied.

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.

Frances Burney
It's a delightful thing to think of perfection; but it's vastly more amusing to talk of errors and absurdities.

Frances Burney
Such is the effect of true politeness, that it banishes all restraint and embarrassment.

Frances Burney
Falsehood is not more unjustifiable than unsafe.

Frances Burney
He seemed to consider his own home merely as an hotel, where at any hour of the night he might disturb the family to claim admittance, where letters and messages might be left for him; where he dined when no other dinner was offered him, and where, when he made an appointment, he was to be met with.

Frances Burney
Travelling is the ruin of all happiness! There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy.

Frances Burney
O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty!
Of a wedding

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...'

Frances Burney
O, we all acknowledge our faults, now; 'tis the mode of the day: but the acknowledgement passes for current payment; and therefore we never amend them.

Frances Burney
Credulity is the sister of innocence...

Frances Burney
How little has situation to do with happiness!

Frances Burney
To Nobody, then, will I write my Journal! since to Nobody can I be wholly unreserved, to Nobody can I reveal every thought, every wish of my heart, with the most unlimited confidence, the most unremitting sincerity, to the end of my life!

Frances Burney
Insensibility, of all kinds, and on all occasions, most moves my imperial displeasure.

Frances Burney
There's nothing but quarreling with the women; it's my belief they like it better than victuals and drink.

Frances Burney