A biography for Samuel Richardsonhasn’t been written yet.
“I will be a Friend to you, and you shall take care of my Linen”
“Those who have least to do are generally the most busy people in the world.”
“The little words in the Republic of Letters, like the little folks in a nation, are the most useful and significant.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Parents sometimes make not those allowances for youth, which, when young, they wished to be made for themselves.”
“The difference in the education of men and women must give the former great advantages over the latter, even where geniuses are equal.”
“Love will draw an elephant through a key-hole.”
“Honeymoon lasts not nowadays above a fortnight.”
“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.”
“The pleasures of the mighty are obtained by the tears of the poor.”
“Love gratified is love satisfied, and love satisfied is indifference begun.”
“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.”
“The companion of an evening, and the companion for life, require very different qualifications.”
“All our pursuits, from childhood to manhood, are only trifles of different sorts and sizes, proportioned to our years and views.”
“Hope is the cordial that keeps life from stagnating.”
“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.”
“O how can wicked men seem so steady and untouched with such black hearts, while poor innocents stand like malefactors before them!”
“The plays and sports of children are as salutary to them as labor and work are to grown persons.”
“What we want to tell, we wish our friend to have curiosity to hear.”