Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmithwas an Irish novelist, playwright and poet, who is best known for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield, his pastoral poem The Deserted Village, and his plays The Good-Natur'd Manand She Stoops to Conquer. He is thought to have written the classic children's tale The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth10 November 1730
CountryIreland
eloquence rules speak subject thoroughly
To feel your subject thoroughly and to speak without fear, are the only rules of eloquence
arguing knocks misses pistol
There is no arguing with Johnson; for when his pistol misses fire, he knocks you down with the butt end of it
begin gaiety gay levity lose melancholy natives remarkable serious time western
To begin with Ireland, the most western part of the continent, the natives are peculiarly remarkable for their gaiety and levity of their disposition ; the English, transplanted there, in time lose their serious melancholy air, and become gay and tho
nice proud
Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit.
fond pursue
Too fond of the right to pursue the expedient.
boys fear noise thundering
We are the boys / That fear no noise / Where the thundering cannons roar.
poor source thou
Thou source of all my bliss, and all my woe, / That foundst me poor at first, and keepst me so.
perfection
The very pink of perfection.
heart bravery genius
What is genius or courage without a heart?
sweet cottages might
Her modest looks the cottage might adorn, Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn.
sports children care
By sports like these are all their cares beguil'd; The sports of children satisfy the child.