Quote

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

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Fanny Burney
Much
Though
Refined
Natural
Behaviour
Wish
Pleased
History
Sentiments
Cannot
Appearance
Truth
Characters
Character
Possibility
Excelling
Without
Least
Probable

More quotes by Fanny Burney

Image
There si nothing upon the face of the earth so insipid as a medium. Give me love or hate! A friend that will go to jail for me, or an enemy that will run me through the body!
Fanny Burney
Image
People who live together naturally catch the looks and air of one another and without having one feature alike, they contract a something in the whole countenance which strikes one as a resemblance
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
an old woman ... is a person who has no sense of decency if once she takes to living, the devil himself can't get rid of her.
Fanny Burney
Image
Imagination took the reins, and reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to a race with so eccentric and flighty a companion.
Fanny Burney
Image
to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment.
Fanny Burney
Image
Misery is a guest that we are glad to part with, however certain of her speedy return.
Fanny Burney
Image
How truly does this journal contain my real and undisguised thoughts--I always write it according to the humour I am in, and if astranger was to think it worth reading, how capricious--insolent & whimsical I must appear!--one moment flighty and half mad,--the next sad and melancholy. No matter! Its truth and simplicity are its sole recommendations.
Fanny Burney
Image
A little alarm now and then keeps life from stagnation.
Fanny Burney
Image
Well of all things in the world, I don't suppose anything can be so dreadful as a public wedding--my stars!--I should never be able to support it!
Fanny Burney
Image
I cannot sleep - great joy is as restless as sorrow.
Fanny Burney
Image
. . . men seldom risk their lives where an escape is without hope of recompense.
Fanny Burney
Image
To a heart formed for friendship and affection the charms of solitude are very short-lived.
Fanny Burney
Image
To despise riches, may, indeed, be philosophic, but to dispense them worthily, must surely be more beneficial to mankind.
Fanny Burney
Image
O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty!
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
Childhood is never troubled with foresight.
Fanny Burney
Image
How little has situation to do with happiness.
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
don't be angry with the gentleman for thinking, whatever be the cause, for I assure you he makes no common practice of offending in that way.
Fanny Burney