Frances Burney Quotes

83 Sourced Quotes

The play of imagination, in the romance of early youth, is rarely interrupted with scruples of probability.

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
.. men seldom risk their lives where an escape is without hope of recompense.

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.

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
When the dreadful steel was plunged into the breast — cutting through veins — arteries — flesh — nerves — I needed no more injunctions not to restrain my cries. I began a scream that lasted unintermittingly during the whole time of the incision — & I almost marvel that it rings not in my Ears still! so excruciating was the agony. In A. Dally

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
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
It's vastly more irksome to give up one's own way, than to hear a few impertinent remarks.

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
I'd do it as soon as say Jack Robinson.

Frances Burney
I am tired to death! tired of every thing! I would give the universe for a disposition less difficult to please. Yet, after all, what is there to give pleasure? When one has seen one thing, one has seen every thing.

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.

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

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.

Frances Burney
Misery is a guest that we are glad to part with, however certain of her speedy return.

Frances Burney
The mind naturally accommodates itself, even to the most ridiculous improprieties, if they occur frequently.

Frances Burney
There is nothing upon the face of the earth so insipid as a medium. Give me love or hate! a friend that will go to jail for me, or an enemy that will run me through the body!

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.

Frances Burney
While all the pomp and circumstance of war animated others, it only saddened me; and all of past reflection, all of future dread, made the whole grandeur of the martial scene, and all the delusive seduction of martial music, fill my eyes frequently with tears.

Frances Burney
While we all desire to live long, we have all a horror of being old!

Frances Burney
The right line of conduct is the same for both sexes, though the manner in which it is pursued, may somewhat vary, and be accommodated to the strength or weakness of the different travelers.

Frances Burney
An old woman... is a person who has no sense of decency; if once she takes to living, the devil himself can't get rid of her.

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

Frances Burney
We continually say things to support an opinion, which we have given, that in reality we don't above half mean.

Frances Burney
'You are rich,' he cried; 'are you therefore worthless?'

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.

Frances Burney
Younger sisters are almost different beings from elder ones, but thank God it is quite and unaffectedly without repining or envy that I see my elder sister gad about and visit, etc. — when I rest at home.

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.

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

Frances Burney