Fanny Burney Quotes

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.

She [Madame Duvall] seems desirious to repair the wrongs she has done, yet wishes the world to believe her blameless.

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

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

The civility of young Branghton, I much suspect, was merely the result of his father's commands

Money is the source of the greatest vice, and that nation which is most rich, is most wicked.

I cannot sleep - great joy is as restless as great sorrow.

It is sometimes dangerous to make requests to men, who are too desirous of receiving them.

In the bosom of her respectable family resided Camilla.

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

Besides, she has always a house full of people; and, though they are chiefly fools and coxcombs, yet there is some pleasure in cutting them up.

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.

To Sir Clement, my Lord," said I, "attribute nothing. He is the last man in the world who would have any influence over my conduct.

You could not see and know her, and remain unmoved by those sensations of affection which belong to so near and tender a relationship.

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

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

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.

I'd rather be done any thing to than laughed at, for, to my mind, it's one or other the disagreeablest thing in the world.

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

Childhood is never troubled with foresight.

To be sure, marriage is all in all with the ladies; but with us gentlemen it's quite another thing!

he has no more manners than a bear,

Tis best to build no castles in the air.

Well of all things in the world, I don't suppose anything can be so dreadful as a public wedding
my stars!
I should never be able to support it!

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

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

There is nothing", answered he, "which requires more immediate notice than impertinence, for it ever encroaches when it is tolerated.

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.

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

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

A little alarm now and then keeps life from stagnation.

Concealment is the foe of tranquility.

Concealment, my dear Maria, is the foe of tranquility: however I may err in future, I will never be disingenuous in acknowledging my errors. To

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

Imagination took the reins, and reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to a race with so eccentric and flighty a companion.

But the time draws on for experience and observation to take the place of instruction: if

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.

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

Credulity is the sister of innocence ...

But how cool, how quiet is true courage!

Generosity without delicacy, like wit without judgement, generally gives as much pain as pleasure.

To a heart formed for friendship and affection the charms of solitude are very short-lived.

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

Such is the effect of true politeness, that it banishes all restraint and embarassment.

Falsehood is not more unjustifiable than unsafe.

Wealth per se I never too much valued, and my acquaintance with its possessors has by no means increased my veneration for it.

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

The Spring is generally fertile in new acquaintances.

Lord Orville seemed by no means to think the Captain worthy an argument, upon a subject concerning which he had neither knowledge nor feeling.

But authors before they write should read.

In all ranks and all stations of life, how strangely characters and manners differ!

You must learn not only to judge but to act for yourself.

Far from having taken any positive step, I have not yet even fommed any resolution.

Why he's a poet, you know, so he may live upon learning.

The easiness with which she hears of her faults, is only another effect of the levity with which she commits them.

It has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty.

Never shall I recollect the occasion he gave me of displeasure, without feeling it renewed.