Daniel Defoe quotes

Daniel Defoe was an English writer, journalist, and trader, most famous for his novel "Robinson Crusoe." His works laid the foundations for the modern English novel and explored themes such as adventure, society, and human resilience. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of realistic fiction and a significant figure in literary history. Here are 61 of his quotes:

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.

Daniel Defoe

The highest degree of human wisdom is the ability to adapt to circumstances and remain calm despite external threats.

Daniel Defoe

Who has a cat, need not fear loneliness.

Daniel Defoe

Expect nothing and you'll always be surprised.

Daniel Defoe

'Tis no sin to cheat the devil.

Daniel Defoe

It is never too late to be wise.

Daniel Defoe

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

Daniel Defoe

All men would be tyrants if they could.

Daniel Defoe

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

Daniel Defoe

Great families of yesterday we show, And lords, whose parents were the Lord knows who.

Daniel Defoe

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.

Daniel Defoe

A woman well bred and well taught, furnished with the additional accomplishments of knowledge and behaviour, is a creature without comparison. Her society is the emblem of sublimer enjoyments, her person is angelic, and her conversation heavenly. She is all softness and sweetness, peace, love, wit, and delight. She is every way suitable to the sublimest wish, and the man that has such a one to his portion, has nothing to do but to rejoice in her, and be thankful.

Daniel Defoe

Tis very strange men should be so fond of being wickeder than they are.

Daniel Defoe

And I add this part here, to hint to whoever shall read it, that whenever they come to a true Sense of things, they will find Deliverance from Sin a much greater Blessing than Deliverance from Affliction.

Daniel Defoe

Wealth, howsoever got, in England makes lords of mechanics, gentlemen of rakes; Antiquity and birth are needless here; 'Tis impudence and money makes a peer.

Daniel Defoe

Alas the Church of England! What with Popery on one hand, and schismatics on the other, how has she been crucified between two thieves!

Daniel Defoe

Reason, it is true, is DICTATOR in the Society of Mankind; from her there ought to lie no Appeal; But here we want a Pope in our Philosophy, to be the infallible Judge of what is or is not Reason.

Daniel Defoe

All evils are to be considered with the good that is in them, and with what worse attends them.

Daniel Defoe

In their religion they are so uneven, That each man goes his own byway to heaven.

Daniel Defoe

We never see the true state of our condition till it is illustrated to us by its contraries, nor know how to value what we enjoy, but by the want of it.

Daniel Defoe

And of all plagues with which mankind are cursed, Ecclesiastic tyranny's the worst.

Daniel Defoe

To-day we love what to-morrow we hate; to-day we seek what to-morrow we shun; to-day we desire what to-morrow we fear, nay, even tremble at the apprehensions of.

Daniel Defoe