Quote added by staff

Why not add this to your bookmarks?

  ...moral of the tale." Goldsmith died on April 4, 1774. (See also Vol. XVII.)
_I.--Family Portraits_
I was ever of opinion that the honest man who married and brought up a large family did more service than he who continued single and only talked of population. From this motive, I chose my wife, as she did her wedding-gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well. There was nothing that could make us angry with the world or each other. We had no revolutions to fear, nor fatigues to undergo; all our adventures were by the fireside, and all our migrations from the blue bed to the brown.  
My children, as they were educated without softness, so they were at once well-formed and healthy; my four sons hardy and active, my two daughters beautiful and blooming. Olivia, the elder daughter, was open, sprightly, and commanding; Sophia's features were not so striking at first, but often did more certain execution, for they were soft, modest, and alluring.
The profits of my living I made over to the orphans and widows of the clergy of our diocese; for, having a sufficient...   Goldsmith, Oliver

Excerpt from Littérature et Philosophie mêlées · This quote is tagged Retirement · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.

  Chat about this quote in the Village Inn

  Share corrections or notes in the village Library

• Biography
• Fans
• This quote in blogs