while we all desire to live long, we have all a horror of being old! Fanny Burney More Quotes by Fanny Burney More Quotes From Fanny Burney The laws of custom make our [returning a visit] necessary. O how I hate this vile custom which obliges us to make slaves of ourselves! to sell the most precious property we boast, our time;--and to sacrifice it to every prattling impertinent who chooses to demand it! Fanny Burney sacrificehatetime Money is the source of the greatest vice, and that nation which is most rich, is most wicked. Fanny Burney wickedmoneyevil 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. Fanny Burney paindisappointmentreality I have this very moment finished reading a novel called The Vicar of Wakefield [by Oliver Goldsmith].... It appears to me, to be impossible any person could read this book through with a dry eye and yet, I don't much like it.... There is but very little story, the plot is thin, the incidents very rare, the sentiments uncommon, the vicar is contented, humble, pious, virtuous--but upon the whole the book has not at all satisfied my expectations. Fanny Burney eyereadingbook You have sensible women here [in England] but then, they are very devils--censorious, uncharitable, sarcastic--the women in Scotland have twice--thrice their freedom, with all their virtue--and are very conversable and agreeable--their educations are more finished. Fanny Burney scotlandwomensarcastic 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. Fanny Burney girleducationchildren 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. Fanny Burney giving-updisappointmenthappiness . . . men seldom risk their lives where an escape is without hope of recompense. Fanny Burney without-hoperiskmen Far from having taken any positive step, I have not yet even fommed any resolution. Fanny Burney resolutiontakensteps Concealment is the foe of tranquility. Fanny Burney concealmenttranquilityfoe The Spring is generally fertile in new acquaintances. Fanny Burney new-acquaintancesacquaintancespring 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. Fanny Burney sawsoddworld it has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty. Fanny Burney alliancesfollylong Look at your [English] ladies of quality are they not forever parting with their husbands - forfeiting their reputations - and is their life aught but dissipation? In common genteel life, indeed, you may now and then meet with very fine girls - who have politeness, sense and conversation - but these are few - and then look at your trademen's daughters - what are they? poor creatures indeed! all pertness, imitation and folly. Fanny Burney daughterhusbandgirl O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty! Fanny Burney genderlibertydoe 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. Fanny Burney ambitionexpectationsmind You must learn not only to judge but to act for yourself. Fanny Burney judging Never shall I recollect the occasion he gave me of displeasure, without feeling it renewed. Fanny Burney occasionsdispleasurefeelings 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! Fanny Burney reflectionadventureinteresting 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 Fanny Burney behaviourwishcharacter
