Quote

I know not what to call this, nor will I urge that it is a secret, overruling decree, that hurries us on to be the instruments of our own destruction, even though it be before us, and that we rush upon it with our eyes open.

Daniel Defoe

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Daniel Defoe
Age: 70 †
Born: 1660
Born: September 30
Died: 1731
Died: April 24
Businessperson
Journalist
Novelist
Opinion Journalist
Poet
Prosaist
Publicist
Publisher
Writer
London
England
Daniel Foe
Eye
Instruments
Even
Destruction
Open
Overruling
Eyes
Hurries
Secret
Decree
Call
Urge
Though
Rush
Upon
Urges

More quotes by Daniel Defoe

Image
Self-destruction is the effect of cowardice in the highest extreme.
Daniel Defoe
Image
I hear much of people's calling out to punish the guilty, but very few are concerned to clear the innocent.
Daniel Defoe
Image
I am giving an account of what was, not of what ought or ought not to be.
Daniel Defoe
Image
As covetousness is the root of all evil, so poverty is the worst of all snares.
Daniel Defoe
Image
The Dutch must be understood as they really are, the Middle Persons in Trade, the Factors and Brokers of Europe... they buy to sell again, take in to send out again, and the greatest Part of their vast Commerce consists in being supply'd from All Parts of the World, that they may supply All th World Again.
Daniel Defoe
Image
It put me upon reflecting how little repining there would be among mankind at any condition of life, if people would rather compare their condition with those that were worse, in order to be thankful, than be always comparing them with those which are better, to assist their murmurings and complaining.
Daniel Defoe
Image
For sudden Joys, like Griefs, confound at first.
Daniel Defoe
Image
I had been tricked once by that Cheat called love, but the Game was over.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Not the man in the moon, not the groaning-board, not the speaking of friar Bacon's brazen- head, not the inspiration of mother Shipton, or the miracles of Dr. Faustus, things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Wherever God erects a house of prayer the Devil always builds a chapel there And 't will be found, upon examination, the latter has the largest congregation.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Nature has left this tincture in the blood, That all men would be tyrants if they could.
Daniel Defoe
Image
In trouble to be troubled, Is to have your trouble doubled.
Daniel Defoe
Image
I could not forbear getting up to the top of a little mountain, and looking out to sea, in hopes of seeing a ship : then fancy that, at a vast distance, I spied a sail, please myself with the hopes of it, and, after looking steadily, till I was almost blind, lose it quite, and sit down and weep like a child, and thus increase my misery by my folly.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Law is but a heathen word for power.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Pride, the first peer and president of Hell.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Redemption from sin is greater then redemption from affliction.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Wit is the Fruitful Womb where Thoughts conceive.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed.
Daniel Defoe
Image
Wit, like the Belly, if it be not fed, Will starve the Members, and distract the Head.
Daniel Defoe