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Henry Fielding Biography

Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English novelist and dramatist known for his rich, earthy humour and satirical prowess, and as the author of the picaresque novel Tom Jones. Additionally, he holds a significant place in the history of law enforcement, having used his authority as a magistrate to found (with his half-brother John) what some have called London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners. His younger sister, Sarah, also became a successful writer.

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Henry Fielding Quotes

The constant desire of pleasing which is the peculiar quality of some, may be called the happiest of all desires in this that it rarely fails of attaining its end when not disgraced by affectation.

Desire, Desires, Fails, Failure, Happiest, Quality

Perhaps the summary of good-breeding may be reduced to this rule. "Behave unto all men as you would they should behave unto you. " This will most certainly oblige us to treat all mankind with the utmost civility and respect, there being nothing that we desire more than to be treated so by them.

Desire, Mankind, May, Men, Nothing, Oblige

All nature wears one universal grin.

Garden, Nature, Science, Universal, Wears

Affectation proceeds from one of these two causes,--vanity or hypocrisy; for as vanity puts us on affecting false characters, in order to purchase applause; so hypocrisy sets us on an endeavor to avoid censure, by concealing our vices under an appearance of their opposite virtues.

Character, Hypocrisy, Order, Proceeds, Sets, Vanity

A good conscience is never lawless in the worst regulated state, and will provide those laws for itself which the neglect of legislators had forgotten to supply.

Conscience, Forgotten, Law, Neglect, Supply

It is an error common to many to take the character of mankind from the worst and basest amongst them; whereas, as an excellent writer has observed, nothing should be esteemed as characteristical, of a species but what is to be found amongst the best and the most perfect individuals of that species.

Character, Errors, Perfect, Basest, Take, Nothing

Custom may lead a man into many errors; but it justifies none.

Errors, Lead, Man, May, Men

Conscience is a judge in every man's breast, which none can cheat or corrupt, and perhaps the only incorrupt thing about him; yet, inflexible and honest as this judge is (however polluted the bench on which he sits), no man can, in my opinion, enjoy any applause which is not there adjudged to be his due.

Applause, Benches, Judge, Judging, Men, Perhaps

There is a sort of knowledge beyond the power of learning to bestow, and this is to be had in conversation; so necessary is this to the understanding the characters of men, that none are more ignorant of them than those learned pedants whose lives have been entirely consumed in colleges and among books; for however exquisitely human nature may have been described by writers the true practical system can be learned only in the world.

Book, Character, Described, Entirely, Men, Practical

Thirst teaches all animals to drink, but drunkenness belongs only to man.

Animal, Drink, Drunkenness, Man, Men, Teaches

It is a good maxim to trust a person entirely or not at all.

Good, Maxim, Maxims, Persons, Trust

Dignity and love were never yet boon companions.

And Love, Boon, Companions, Dignity, Love

Great joy, especially after a sudden change of circumstances, is apt to be silent, and dwells rather in the heart than on the tongue.

Change, Circumstances, Happiness, Heart, Love, Sudden

It is with jealousy as with the gout. When such distempers are in the blood, there is never any security against their breaking out, and that often on the slightest occasions, and when least suspected.

Against, Blood, Gout, Jealousy, Suspected

Commend a fool for his wit, or a rogue for his honesty and he will receive you into his favour.

Fool, Honesty, Receive, Rogue, Rogues

Considering the unforeseen events of this world, we should be taught that no human condition should inspire men with absolute despair.

Condition, Considering, Despair, Inspire, Men

The only source of the true Ridiculous (as it appears to me) is affectation

Affectation, Appears, Ridiculous, Source, True

Good-humor will even go so far as often to supply the lack of wit.

Good Humor, Lack, Supply, Wit

As the malicious disposition of mankind is too well known, and the cruel pleasure which they take in destroying the reputation of others, the use we are to make of this knowledge is, to afford no handle for reproach; for bad as the world is, it seldom falls on anyone who hath not given some slight cause for censure.

Fall, Causes, World, Known, Malicious

A rich man without charity is a rogue; and perhaps it would be no difficult matter to prove that he is also a fool.

Difficult, Fool, Inspiring, Men, Rogue, Would Be

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