Oliver Goldsmith

At night returning, every labour sped,
He sits him down, the monarch of a shed;
Smiles by read more

At night returning, every labour sped,
He sits him down, the monarch of a shed;
Smiles by his cheerful fire, and round surveys
His children's looks, that brighten at the blaze;
While his lov'd partner, boastful of her hoard,
Displays her cleanly platter on the board.

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the read more

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the least manageable and the most likely to stray from the course. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate ones.

Pride in their port, defiance in their eye,
I see the lords of humankind pass by.

Pride in their port, defiance in their eye,
I see the lords of humankind pass by.

A traveler of taste will notice that the wise are polite all over the world, but the fool only at read more

A traveler of taste will notice that the wise are polite all over the world, but the fool only at home.

His pencil was striking, resistless, and grand;
His manners were gentle, complying, and bland;
Still born to read more

His pencil was striking, resistless, and grand;
His manners were gentle, complying, and bland;
Still born to improve in every part,
His pencil out faces, his manners are heart.