Samuel Richardson Quotes

Powerful Samuel Richardson for Daily Growth

About Samuel Richardson

Samuel Richardson (1689-1761), an English novelist and epistolary writer, is renowned as one of the earliest masters of the modern novel. Born on September 4, 1689, in Saffron Walden, Essex, Richardson was the son of a clothier. He received little formal education, but his natural talent for language and storytelling would later prove remarkable. Richardson's early life was marked by financial struggles. He worked as an apprentice in London, then returned to Saffron Walden to help his father's business. His passion for literature led him to become a stationer, which allowed him access to books and manuscripts. Richardson's literary journey began with the publication of "The Miscellany: In Prose and Verse" in 1714. Influenced by the works of French authors such as Molière and La Rochefoucauld, Richardson's writing style was unique for its time, particularly his use of epistolary narrative – a series of written communications between characters to tell a story. His most famous works, "Pamela" (1740) and "Clarissa" (1748), are considered masterpieces of this form. "Pamela" tells the story of an innocent servant girl who resists her seducer's advances, while "Clarissa," often regarded as Richardson's magnum opus, follows the tragic tale of a virtuous woman who is forced into a disastrous marriage. Both novels explore complex themes of morality, virtue, and human nature, and have had profound influences on subsequent literature. Despite his literary success, Richardson faced criticism for the length and detail of his works. However, his impact on English literature remains significant, paving the way for future novelists like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Samuel Richardson passed away on July 4, 1761, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to captivate readers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Wisdom and knowledge meet in admiration of each other."

This quote by Samuel Richardson emphasizes a mutual appreciation between wisdom, accumulated through life experiences, and knowledge, gained from education or study. Both entities recognize their complementary nature, understanding that while wisdom provides practical insights and common sense, knowledge offers detailed information and facts. In essence, they admire each other for what they offer, recognizing the importance of both in navigating the complexities of life effectively.

"To be great is to be misunderstood."

The quote "To be great is to be misunderstood" suggests that individuals who are exceptional or achieve significant accomplishments may not always be fully understood or appreciated by others, due to the complexity of their ideas, actions, or personalities. This misunderstanding can stem from people's limited perspectives, preconceived biases, or inability to comprehend the magnitude and significance of the great person's work. The quote encourages us to embrace our unique qualities and continue striving for excellence, even when faced with confusion or criticism from those who fail to recognize our greatness.

"Every action has a price on it."

The quote by Samuel Richardson signifies that every action, regardless of its nature or intent, carries a consequence. These consequences can be positive or negative, immediate or long-term, and they serve as a "price" for the action taken. Understanding this principle encourages individuals to weigh their actions thoughtfully, recognizing the potential impact on themselves and others.

"The passions are the enemies of reason."

This quote by Samuel Richardson suggests that intense emotions, or "passions," often conflict with rational thinking and judgment. When we are swept up in our feelings, it can be challenging to make logical decisions, leading us astray from what is best for us. The more emotionally charged a situation, the harder it may be to access reason and critical thought, making it essential to strive for emotional balance to ensure sound decision-making.

"Talk not of passion, Sir; it is an idle word. It is employment, and can never be idle."

The quote by Samuel Richardson suggests that "passion" is not just a fleeting feeling or emotion but rather a driving force that propels one into action. He argues that true passion cannot be idle or aimless; it must always be accompanied by effort and purpose. In other words, passion is about putting your energy, time, and skills towards something you care deeply about.

It is better to be thought perverse than insincere.

- Samuel Richardson

Thought, Better, Perverse, Insincere

Men will bear many things from a kept mistress, which they would not bear from a wife.

- Samuel Richardson

Will, Which, Would, Mistress

Shame is a fitter and generally a more effectual punishment for a child than beating.

- Samuel Richardson

Shame, Punishment, More, Beating

Sorrow makes an ugly face odious.

- Samuel Richardson

Face, Ugly, Makes, Odious

The life of a good man is a continual warfare with his passions.

- Samuel Richardson

Man, His, Warfare, A Good Man

A good man, though he will value his own countrymen, yet will think as highly of the worthy men of every nation under the sun.

- Samuel Richardson

Think, Will, Though, A Good Man

If the education and studies of children were suited to their inclinations and capacities, many would be made useful members of society that otherwise would make no figure in it.

- Samuel Richardson

Education, Otherwise, Figure, Capacities

The first reading of a Will, where a person dies worth anything considerable, generally affords a true test of the relations' love to the deceased.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Test, Deceased, True Test

Those who can least bear a jest upon themselves, will be most diverted with one passed on others.

- Samuel Richardson

Will, Least, Jest, Diverted

The companion of an evening, and the companion for life, require very different qualifications.

- Samuel Richardson

Companion, Very, Require, Qualifications

All our pursuits, from childhood to manhood, are only trifles of different sorts and sizes, proportioned to our years and views.

- Samuel Richardson

Childhood, Pursuits, Our, Trifles

The mind can be but full. It will be as much filled with a small disagreeable occurrence, having no other, as with a large one.

- Samuel Richardson

Mind, Small, Other, Occurrence

Marry first, and love will come after is a shocking assertion; since a thousand things may happen to make the state but barely tolerable, when it is entered into with mutual affection.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Happen, May, Tolerable

All human excellence is but comparative. There may be persons who excel us, as much as we fancy we excel the meanest.

- Samuel Richardson

Fancy, Excel, Persons, Meanest

Marriage is the highest state of friendship. If happy, it lessens our cares by dividing them, at the same time that it doubles our pleasures by mutual participation.

- Samuel Richardson

Marriage, Cares, Dividing, Doubles

Where words are restrained, the eyes often talk a great deal.

- Samuel Richardson

Words, Deal, Where, Restrained

To what a bad choice is many a worthy woman betrayed, by that false and inconsiderate notion, That a reformed rake makes the best husband!

- Samuel Richardson

Woman, Bad, False, Reformed

The pleasures of the mighty are obtained by the tears of the poor.

- Samuel Richardson

Tears, Poor, Pleasures, Mighty

The World, thinking itself affronted by superior merit, takes delight to bring it down to its own level.

- Samuel Richardson

World, Itself, Superior, Delight

Necessity may well be called the mother of invention but calamity is the test of integrity.

- Samuel Richardson

Integrity, Mother, Calamity, Invention

There hardly can be a greater difference between any two men, than there too often is, between the same man, a lover and a husband.

- Samuel Richardson

Husband, Lover, Often, Hardly

Women are always most observed when they seem themselves least to observe, or to lay out for observation.

- Samuel Richardson

Observation, Always, Lay, Observed

There would be no supporting life were we to feel quite as poignantly for others as we do for ourselves.

- Samuel Richardson

Feel, Would, Were, Supporting

Married people should not be quick to hear what is said by either when in ill humor.

- Samuel Richardson

Humor, Quick, Either, Married People

The little words in the Republic of Letters, like the little folks in a nation, are the most useful and significant.

- Samuel Richardson

Like, Republic, Most, Letters

Women do not often fall in love with philosophers.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Fall, Often, Philosophers

There is but one pride pardonable; that of being above doing a base or dishonorable action.

- Samuel Richardson

Pride, Doing, Above, Base

O! what a Godlike Power is that of doing Good! I envy the Rich and the Great for nothing else!

- Samuel Richardson

Envy, Doing, Else, Doing Good

Honeymoon lasts not nowadays above a fortnight.

- Samuel Richardson

Above, Lasts, Nowadays, Fortnight

Whenever we approve, we can find a hundred good reasons to justify our approbation. Whenever we dislike, we can find a thousand to justify our dislike.

- Samuel Richardson

Reasons, Hundred, Whenever, Approve

From sixteen to twenty, all women, kept in humor by their hopes and by their attractions, appear to be good-natured.

- Samuel Richardson

Kept, All Women, Appear, Twenty

Women love to be called cruel, even when they are kindest.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Cruel, Even, Kindest

Every scholar, I presume, is not, necessarily, a man of sense.

- Samuel Richardson

Man, Sense, Presume, Scholar

People who act like angels ought to have angels to deal with.

- Samuel Richardson

Deal, Act, Like, Ought

To be a clergyman, and all that is compassionate and virtuous, ought to be the same thing.

- Samuel Richardson

Same, Same Thing, Clergyman, Ought

Great allowances ought to be made for the petulance of persons laboring under ill-health.

- Samuel Richardson

Made, Persons, Allowances, Ought

There is a pride, a self-love, in human minds that will seldom be kept so low as to make men and women humbler than they ought to be.

- Samuel Richardson

Self-Love, Will, Kept, Ought

Parents sometimes make not those allowances for youth, which, when young, they wished to be made for themselves.

- Samuel Richardson

Young, Made, Which, Allowances

For the human mind is seldom at stay: If you do not grow better, you will most undoubtedly grow worse.

- Samuel Richardson

Mind, Grow, Will, Human Mind

The English, the plain English, of the politest address of a gentleman to a lady is, I am now, dear Madam, your humble servant: Pray be so good as to let me be your Lord and Master.

- Samuel Richardson

Humble, Lord, Address, Madam

Women are so much in love with compliments that rather than want them, they will compliment one another, yet mean no more by it than the men do.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Compliments, Rather, Women Are

Love is not a volunteer thing.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Volunteer, Thing, Love Is

The laws were not made so much for the direction of good men, as to circumscribe the bad.

- Samuel Richardson

Bad, Laws, Were, Good Men

Nothing in human nature is so God-like as the disposition to do good to our fellow-creatures.

- Samuel Richardson

Nature, Nothing, Disposition, Human Nature

Love gratified is love satisfied, and love satisfied is indifference begun.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Indifference, Gratified

Let a man do what he will by a single woman, the world is encouragingly apt to think Marriage a sufficient amends.

- Samuel Richardson

Woman, Think, Single, Amends

What likelihood is there of corrupting a man who has no ambition?

- Samuel Richardson

Man, Ambition, Who, Likelihood

Love will draw an elephant through a key-hole.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Will, Through, Elephant

Every one, more or less, loves Power, yet those who most wish for it are seldom the fittest to be trusted with it.

- Samuel Richardson

More, Loves, Fittest, Trusted

A widow's refusal of a lover is seldom so explicit as to exclude hope.

- Samuel Richardson

Lover, Seldom, Widow, Explicit

Hope is the cordial that keeps life from stagnating.

- Samuel Richardson

Life, Hope, Cordial, Keeps

It is much easier to find fault with others, than to be faultless ourselves.

- Samuel Richardson

Find, Fault, Than, Easier

The difference in the education of men and women must give the former great advantages over the latter, even where geniuses are equal.

- Samuel Richardson

Education, Give, Over, Latter

Humility is a grace that shines in a high condition but cannot, equally, in a low one because a person in the latter is already, perhaps, too much humbled.

- Samuel Richardson

Humility, Shines, Equally, Latter

Prejudices in disfavor of a person fix deeper, and are much more difficult to be removed, than prejudices in favor.

- Samuel Richardson

Fix, Favor, Prejudices, Deeper

Vast is the field of Science. The more a man knows, the more he will find he has to know.

- Samuel Richardson

Will, More, Field, Vast

Smatterers in learning are the most opinionated.

- Samuel Richardson

Learning, Most, Opinionated

Those who will bear much, shall have much to bear.

- Samuel Richardson

Will, Shall, Those, Bear

As a child is indulged or checked in its early follies, a ground is generally laid for the happiness or misery of the future man.

- Samuel Richardson

Happiness, Future, Laid, Follies

Tutors who make youth learned do not always make them virtuous.

- Samuel Richardson

Always, Learned, Virtuous, Tutors

Handsome husbands often make a wife's heart ache.

- Samuel Richardson

Wife, Handsome, Often, Husbands

Calamity is the test of integrity.

- Samuel Richardson

Integrity, Test, Calamity

Would Alexander, madman as he was, have been so much a madman, had it not been for Homer?

- Samuel Richardson

Been, Had, Would, Alexander

A beautiful woman must expect to be more accountable for her steps, than one less attractive.

- Samuel Richardson

Woman, More, Accountable, Steps

It may be very generous in one person to offer what it would be ungenerous in another to accept.

- Samuel Richardson

Offer, May, Very, Generous

The plays and sports of children are as salutary to them as labor and work are to grown persons.

- Samuel Richardson

Sports, Persons, Plays, Labor

Women who have had no lovers, or having had one, two or three, have not found a husband, have perhaps rather had a miss than a loss, as men go.

- Samuel Richardson

Go, Rather, Having, Miss

Quantity in diet is more to be regarded than quality. A full meal is a great enemy both to study and industry.

- Samuel Richardson

Study, More, Quantity, Regarded

A husband's mother and his wife had generally better be visitors than inmates.

- Samuel Richardson

Mother, Better, Visitors, Generally

The Cause of Women is generally the Cause of Virtue.

- Samuel Richardson

Women, Virtue, Cause, Generally

Those who have least to do are generally the most busy people in the world.

- Samuel Richardson

Busy, World, Most, Generally

Men generally are afraid of a wife who has more understanding than themselves.

- Samuel Richardson

Wife, Men, More, Generally

We are all very ready to believe what we like.

- Samuel Richardson

Believe, Like, Very, Ready

A man may keep a woman, but not his estate.

- Samuel Richardson

Woman, May, His, Estate

A Stander-by is often a better judge of the game than those that play.

- Samuel Richardson

Game, Play, Better, Judge

Some children act as if they thought their parents had nothing to do, but to see them established in the world and then quit it.

- Samuel Richardson

Thought, Some, Established, Quit

Those we dislike can do nothing to please us.

- Samuel Richardson

Nothing, Dislike, Those, Please

What we want to tell, we wish our friend to have curiosity to hear.

- Samuel Richardson

Wish, Want, Tell, Curiosity

People of little understanding are most apt to be angry when their sense is called into question.

- Samuel Richardson

Question, Sense, Apt, Angry

Love before marriage is absolutely necessary.

- Samuel Richardson

Love, Marriage, Before, Necessary

Nothing dries sooner than tears.

- Samuel Richardson

Tears, Nothing, Than, Sooner

There are men who think themselves too wise to be religious.

- Samuel Richardson

Think, Religious, Too, Wise

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