Quote

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

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Fanny Burney
Since
Seldom
Free
Enjoyment
Firsts
Totally
First
Expectations
Youthful
Mind
Ambition
Curb
Increase
Expectation
Step
Diminish
Steps
Contentment

More quotes by Fanny Burney

Image
I love and honour [Paulus Aemilius, in Plutarch's Lives], for his fondness for his children, which instead of blushing at, he avows and glories in: and that at an age, when almost all the heros and great men thought that to make their children and family a secondary concern, was the first proof of their superiority and greatness of soul.
Fanny Burney
Image
We relate all our afflictions more frequently than we do our pleasures.
Fanny Burney
Image
Money is the source of the greatest vice, and that nation which is most rich, is most wicked.
Fanny Burney
Image
Can any thing, my good Sir, be more painful to a friendly mind than a necessity of communicating disagreeable intelligence? Indeed, it is sometimes difficult to determine, whether the relater or the receiver of evil tidings is most to be pitied.
Fanny Burney
Image
such is the effect of true politeness, that it banishes all restraint and embarassment.
Fanny Burney
Image
Far from having taken any positive step, I have not yet even fommed any resolution.
Fanny Burney
Image
To a heart formed for friendship and affection the charms of solitude are very short-lived.
Fanny Burney
Image
Misery is a guest that we are glad to part with, however certain of her speedy return.
Fanny Burney
Image
to be sure, marriage is all in all with the ladies but with us gentlemen it's quite another thing!
Fanny Burney
Image
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
Image
To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind.
Fanny Burney
Image
to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment.
Fanny Burney
Image
while we all desire to live long, we have all a horror of being old!
Fanny Burney
Image
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
Image
This perpetual round of constrained civilities to persons quite indifferent to us, is the most provoking and tiresome thing in theworld, but it is unavoidable in a country town, where everybody is known.... 'Tis a most shocking and unworthy way of spending our precious irrecoverable time, to those who know not its value.
Fanny Burney
Image
Generosity without delicacy, like wit without judgment, generally gives as much pain as pleasure.
Fanny Burney
Image
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
Image
it has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty.
Fanny Burney
Image
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
Image
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