18th century

Explore 870 quotes from the 18th century

The pleasure of talking is the inextinguishable passion of woman.

Alain René Lesage 

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Topic

Women Talking too much

Author

Alain René Lesage 

Source

Gil Blas

Medium

Novel

Genre

Picaresque

Language

French

Time

1724 1720s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Lesage, Alain-Rene. L'Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane [History of Gil Blas de Santillane]. Paris: Pierre Ribou, 1724, bk. 7, ch. 7.

In my lifetime I have seen Frenchmen, Italians, Russians, etc.; thanks to Montesquieu, I even know that one can be Persian. But as for man, I declare that I have never in my life met him; if he exists, he exists unknown to me.

Joseph de Maistre

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Topic

The universal vs. the particular Nature of man

Author

Joseph de Maistre

Source

Considerations on France

Genre

Philosophical literature Political literature

Language

French

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Maistre, Joseph. "De l'influence divine dans les constitutions politiques [On Divine Influence in Political Constitutions]." Considérations sur la France [Considerations on France]. Paris, 1796.

Current Citation

Maistre, Joseph. "On Divine Influence in Political Constitutions." Considerations on France, edited by Richard A. Lebrun. Cambridge University Press, 1995.

We aim at something more sublime and more equitable-the common good, or the community of goods... We demand, we would have, the communal enjoyment of the fruits which are for everyone.

Sylvain Marechal

Manifesto of the Equals

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Topic

Redistribution of wealth Communism

Author

Sylvain Marechal

Source

Manifesto of the Equals

Genre

Political literature

Language

French

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Sylvain, Marechal. Quoted in "Manifeste des Egaux [Manifesto of the Equals]." Histoire de la conspiration pour Egalite dite de Babeuf, written by Phillipe Buonarotti. Bruxelles: A la librairie Romantique, 1828.

The chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches.

Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations

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Topic

Display of wealth Wealth Status games

Author

Adam Smith

Source

The Wealth of Nations

Genre

Economic literature

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations. Vol. 1, London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776, bk. 1, ch. 11, pt. 2.

Current Citation

Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations, edited by Edwin Cannan. The Modern Library, bk. 1, ch. 11, pt. 2.

E’er you remark another’s sin, bid your own conscience look within.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Criticizing others Judging others Self-awareness Self-criticism

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Advice

Language

English

Time

1741 1740s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1741.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1741." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

You can bear your own Faults, why not a Fault in your Wife?

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Forgiveness Self-awareness Judging others Marriage

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

Language

English

Time

1750 1750s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard Improved. Philadelphia, 1750.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard Improved." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

He was a bold Man that first eat an oyster.

Jonathan Swift

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Topic

Oysters Food

Author

Jonathan Swift

Source

Polite Conversation

Language

English

Time

1738 1730s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Swift, Johnathan. "Dialogue III." Polite Conversation. London: Charles Wittinham & Co., 1738.

Current Citation

Swift, Jonathan. "Polite Conversation." Parodies, Hoaxes, Mock Treatises: Polite Conversation, Directions Servants and Other Works, edited by Valerie Rumbold. Cambridge University Press, 2013, no. 2.

The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.

Thomas Jefferson

A Summary View of the Rights of British America

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Topic

Natural law Human rights

Author

Thomas Jefferson

Source

A Summary View of the Rights of British America

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1774 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. A Summary View of the Rights of British America. Williamsburg, 1774.

Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "A Summary View of the Rights of British America." Jefferson: Political Writings. Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Who has deceiv’d thee so oft as thy self?

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Delusion Self-awareness

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Question

Language

English

Time

1738 1730s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1738.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1738." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

In Marriage without love, there will be Love without Marriage.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Infidelity Lack of love Marriage Love

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

Language

English

Time

1734 1730s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1734.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1734." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Learning from mistakes Mistakes Human nature

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

Language

English

Time

1742 1740s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1742.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1742." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

There never was a good War, or a bad Peace.

Benjamin Franklin

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Topic

War and peace War Peace Anti-war

Author

Benjamin Franklin

Source

Letters of Benjamin Franklin

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1783 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Josiah Quincy, Sr. 11 Sept. 1783.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "To Josiah Quincy, Sr., September 11, 1783." Franklin Papers, Yale University, franklinpapers.org/framedVolumes.jsp.

Let us work without reasoning, it is the only way to make life endurable.

Voltaire

Candide

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Topic

Reason and emotion

Speaker

Martin

Author

Voltaire

Source

Candide

Medium

Novel

Genre

Satire

Language

French

Time

1759 1750s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Voltaire. Candide, ou l'Optimisme [Candide: or, All for the Best]. Geneva: Gabriel Cramer, 1759, ch. 30.

Current Citation

Voltaire. Candide, edited by Nicholas Cronk. W. W. Norton & Company, 2016, ch. 30.

Common sense is not so common.

Voltaire

Philosophical Dictionary

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Topic

Common sense

Author

Voltaire

Source

Philosophical Dictionary

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

French

Time

1764 1760s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Voltaire [published anonymously]. "Sens Commun [Common Sense]." Dictionnaire Philosophique Portatif. Geneva: Gabriel Grasset, 1764.

Current Citation

Voltaire. A Pocket Philosophical Dictionary, edited by Nicholas Cronk, translated by John Fletcher. Oxford University Press, 2011.

Hear no ill of a Friend, nor speak any of an Enemy.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Friends and enemies Friends Enemies Gossip

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Advice

Language

English

Time

1739 1730s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1739.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1739." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

Beware of little Expences: a small leak will sink a great Ship.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Butterfly effect Little things make a big difference Actions have consequences

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Advice

Language

English

Time

1745 1740s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1745.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1745." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

‘Tis easier to prevent bad Habits than to break them.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Breaking bad habits Bad habits Habits

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

Language

English

Time

1745 1740s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1745.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1745." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

A wise man, therefore, proportions his belief to the evidence.

David Hume

An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

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Topic

Beliefs Evidence

Author

David Hume

Source

Of Miracles An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

English

Time

1748 1740s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Hume, David. "Of Miracles." An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. London: A. Millar, 1748, sect. 10, pt. 1, para. 4.

Current Citation

Hume, David. "Of Miracles." An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, edited by Tom L. Beauchamp. Oxford University Press, 2000, sect. 10, pt. 1, para. 4.

Keep your eye wide open before Marriage, half shut afterwards.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Topic

Marriage

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Source

Poor Richard's Almanack

Medium

Almanac

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Advice

Language

English

Time

1738 1730s 18th century

Era

Colonial America

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1738.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1738." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.

Thomas Jefferson

Notes on the State of Virginia

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Topic

Erroneous beliefs Ignorance

Author

Thomas Jefferson

Source

Notes on the State of Virginia

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1785 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas [published anonymously]. Notes on the State of Virginia. Paris: Philippe Denis Pierres, 1785, query 6.

Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Notes on the State of Virginia, edited by Frank Shuffelton. Penguin Classics, 1998, query 6.