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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.

Henry Fielding

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Henry Fielding
Age: 47 †
Born: 1707
Born: April 22
Died: 1754
Died: October 8
Journalist
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Jurist
Justice Of The Peace
Magistrate
Novelist
Playwright
Poet Lawyer
Short Story
Writer
Sharpham
Somerset
Henri Fielding
Scriblerus Secundus
Conny Keyber
Alexander Drawcansir
John Trottplaid
Hercules Vinegar
Henri Filding
Lemuel Gulliver
Petrus Gualterus
Enrique Fielding
Genri Filʹding
Character
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Best
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Amongst
Nothing
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Individual
Individuals
Found
Errors
Basest

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However exquisitely human nature may have been described by writers, the true practical system can be learned only in the world.
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I describe not men, but manners not an individual, but a species.
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Good-nature is that benevolent and amiable temper of mind which disposes us to feel the misfortunes and enjoy the happiness of others, and, consequently, pushes us on to promote the latter and prevent the former and that without any abstract contemplation on the beauty of virtue, and without the allurements or terrors of religion.
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With the latitude of unbounded scurrility, it is easy enough to attain the character of a wit, especially when it is considered how wonderfully pleasant it is to the generality of the public to see the folly of their acquaintance exposed by a third person.
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An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money.
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And here, I believe, the wit is generally misunderstood. In reality, it lies in desiring another to kiss your a-- for having just before threatened to kick his for I have observed very accurately, that no one ever desires you to kick that which belongs to himself, nor offers to kiss this part in another.
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Giving comfort under affliction requires that penetration into the human mind, joined to that experience which knows how to soothe, how to reason, and how to ridicule taking the utmost care never to apply those arts improperly.
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To the composition of novels and romances, nothing is necessary but paper, pens, and ink, with the manual capacity of using them.
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Riches without charity are nothing worth. They are a blessing only to him who makes them a blessing to others.
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Sensuality not only debases both body and mind, but dulls the keen edge of pleasure.
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A comic writer should of all others be the least excused for deviating from nature, since it may not be always so easy for a serious poet to meet with the great and the admirable but life every where furnishes an accurate observer with the ridiculous.
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Some folks rail against other folks, because other folks have what some folks would be glad of.
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Distance of Time and Place do really cure what they seem to aggravate and taking Leave of our Friends resembles taking Leave of the World, concerning which it hath been often said, that it is not Death but Dying which is terrible.
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A rich man without charity is a rogue and perhaps it would be no difficult matter to prove that he is also a fool.
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A good heart will, at all times, betray the best head in the world.
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As a great part of the uneasiness of matrimony arises from mere trifles,, it would be wise in every young married man to enter into an agreement with his wife, that in all disputes of this kind the party who was most convinced they were right should always surrender the victory. By which means both would be more forward to give up the cause.
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We endeavor to conceal our vices under the disguise of the opposite virtues.
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Good-humor will even go so far as often to supply the lack of wit.
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It is not from nature, but from education and habits, that our wants are chiefly derived.
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The slander of some people is as great a recommendation as the praise of others.
Henry Fielding