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The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

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<strong>The</strong>se widows, Sir, are the most perverse creatures in the world.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 335, 25 March 1712<br />

Mirth is short and transient, cheerfulness fixed and permanent....Mirth is like a flash <strong>of</strong><br />

lightning that breaks through a gloom <strong>of</strong> clouds, and glitters for a moment: cheerfulness keeps up<br />

a kind <strong>of</strong> day-light in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 381, 17 May 1712<br />

<strong>The</strong> Knight in the triumph <strong>of</strong> his heart made several reflections on the greatness <strong>of</strong> the British<br />

Nation; as, that one Englishman could beat three Frenchmen; that we could never be in danger <strong>of</strong><br />

Popery so long as we took care <strong>of</strong> our fleet; that the Thames was the noblest river in Europe; that<br />

London Bridge was a greater piece <strong>of</strong> work than any <strong>of</strong> the Seven Wonders <strong>of</strong> the World; with<br />

many other honest prejudices which naturally cleave to the heart <strong>of</strong> a true Englishman.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 383, 20 May 1712<br />

Wide and undetermined prospects are as pleasing to the fancy, as the speculations <strong>of</strong> eternity or<br />

infinitude are to the understanding.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 412, 23 June 1712<br />

Through all Eternity to <strong>The</strong>e<br />

A joyful Song I’ll raise,<br />

For oh! Eternity’s too short<br />

To utter all thy Praise.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 453, 9 August 1712<br />

We have in England a particular bashfulness in every thing that regards religion.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 458, 15 August 1712<br />

<strong>The</strong> spacious firmament on high,<br />

With all the blue ethereal sky,<br />

And spangled heavens, a shining frame,<br />

<strong>The</strong>ir great Original proclaim.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 465, 23 August 1712, ‘Ode’<br />

In Reason’s ear they all rejoice,<br />

And utter forth a glorious voice,<br />

For ever singing, as they shine:<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> hand that made us is divine.’<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 465, 23 August 1712, ‘Ode’<br />

A woman seldom asks advice before she has bought her wedding clothes.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 475, 4 September 1712<br />

Our disputants put me in mind <strong>of</strong> the skuttle fish, that when he is unable to extricate himself,<br />

blackens all the water about him, till he becomes invisible.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 476, 5 September 1712<br />

If we may believe our logicians, man is distinguished from all other creatures by the faculty <strong>of</strong><br />

laughter.<br />

‘<strong>The</strong> Spectator’ no. 494, 26 September 1712

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