When any one of our relations was found to be a person of a very bad character, a troublesome guest, or one we desired to get rid of, upon his leaving my house I ever took care to lend him a riding-coat, or a pair of boots, or sometimes a horse of small value, and I always had the satisfaction of finding he never came back to return them.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright. The narrator (Dr. Charles Primrose), in The Vicar of Wakefield, ch. 1 (1766).)

Thou source of all my bliss and all my woe,
That found'st me poor at first, and keep'st me so.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright. The Deserted Village. Referring specifically to poetry.)

I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines; and, I believe, Dorothy, you'll own I have been pretty fond of an old wife.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright. Hardcastle, in She Stoops to Conquer, act. 1, sc. 1.)

And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew,
That one small head could carry all he knew.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish poet, essayist, playwright. The Deserted Village, l. 215-6 (1770). Referring to the village schoolmaster.)

I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines; and, I believe, Dorothy, you'll own I have been pretty fond of an old wife.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright. Hardcastle, in She Stoops to Conquer, act 1, sc. 1 (1773).)

A man who leaves home to mend himself and others is a philosopher; but he who goes from country to country, guided by the blind impulse of curiosity, is a vagabond.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright. The Citizen of the World, letter 7 (1762).)

It seemed to me pretty plain, that they had more of love than matrimony in them.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright. Dr. Charles Primrose, in The Vicar of Wakefield, ch. 16 (1766).)

I have known a German Prince with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nobleman with more names than shirts.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish playwright, author. The Citizen of the World, letter 120 (1762).)

As writers become more numerous, it is natural for readers to become more indolent; whence must necessarily arise a desire of attaining knowledge with the greatest possible ease.

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish playwright, author. "Upon Unfortunate Merit," The Bee, no. 5 (London, Nov. 3, 1759).)

When lovely woman stoops to folly,
And finds too late that men betray,
What charm can soothe her melancholy,
What art can wash her guilt away?

(Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Anglo-Irish author, poet, playwright. Song sung by Olivia, in The Vicar of Wakefield, ch. 24 (written 1761-1762, published 1766).)