Daniel Defoe Quotes

Expect nothing and you'll always be surprised

It is better to have a lion at the head of an army of sheep, than a sheep at the head of an army of lions.

Fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself.

The height of human wisdom is to bring our tempers down to our circumstances, and to make a calm within, under the weight of the greatest storm without.

The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.

It is never too late to be wise.

In trouble to be troubled, Is to have your trouble doubled.

Though I don't like the crew, I won't sink the ship. In fact, in time of storm I'll do my best to save it. You see, we are all in this craft and must sink or swim together.

All our discontents about what we want appeared to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.

Today we love what tomorrow we hate, today we seek what tomorrow we shun, today we desire what tomorrow we fear, nay, even tremble at the apprehensions of.

Self-destruction is the effect of cowardice in the highest extreme.

Necessity makes an honest man a knave.

All men would be tyrants if they could.

Justice is always Violence to the Party offending, for every Man is Innocent in his own Eyes.

The best of men cannot suspend their fate; The good die early, and the bad die late.

I hear much of people's calling out to punish the guilty, but very few are concerned to clear the innocent.

I saw the Cloud, though I did not foresee the Storm.

Actions receive their tincture from the times, And as they change are virtues made or crimes

Pleasure is a thief to business.

Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself when apparent to the eyes ; and we find the burden of anxiety greater, by much, than the evil which we are anxious about.

I learned to look more upon the bright side of my condition, and less upon the dark side, and to consider what I enjoyed, rather than what I wanted : and this gave me sometimes such secret comforts, that I cannot express them ; and which I take notice of here, to put those discontented people in mind of it, who cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them, because they see and covet something that he has not given them. All our discontents about what we want appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.

Friends are good,--good, if well chosen.

For I cannot think that GOD Almighty ever made them [women] so delicate, so glorious creatures; and furnished them with such charms, so agreeable and so delightful to mankind; with souls capable of the same accomplishments with men: and all, to be only Stewards of our Houses, Cooks, and Slaves.

He that is rich is wise, And all men learned poverty despise.

Wherever God erects a house of prayer the Devil always builds a chapel there; And 't will be found, upon examination, the latter has the largest congregation.