Frances Burney quotes

Frances Burney was an English novelist, diarist, and playwright, celebrated for her insightful depictions of 18th-century society. Her works, such as "Evelina" and "Camilla", were highly influential and admired by contemporaries like Jane Austen. She contributed greatly to English literature and paved the way for future women writers. Here are 56 of her quotes:

I cannot be much pleased without an appearance of truth; at least of possibility - I wish the history to be natural though the sentiments are refined; and the characters to be probable, though their behaviour is excelling.

Frances Burney

it has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty.

Frances Burney

A youthful mind is seldom totally free from ambition; to curb that, is the first step to contentment, since to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment.

Frances Burney

Money is the source of the greatest vice, & that Nation which is most rich, is most wicked.

Frances Burney

To have some account of my thoughts, manners, acquaintance and actions, when the hour arrives in which time is more nimble than memory, is the reason which induces me to keep a journal: a journal in which I must confess my every thought, must open my whole heart!

Frances Burney

I am too inexperienced and ignorant to conduct myself with propriety in this town, where every thing is new to me, and many things are unaccountable and perplexing.

Frances Burney

I looked about for some of my acquaintance, but in vain, for I saw not one person that I knew, which is very odd, for all the world seemed there.

Frances Burney

I am ashamed of confessing that I have nothing to confess.

Frances Burney

Nothing is so delicate as the reputation of a woman; it is at once the most beautiful and most brittle of all human things.

Frances Burney

Unused to the situations in which I find myself, and embarassed by the slightest difficulties, I seldom discover, till too late, how I ought to act.

Frances Burney

There is something in age that ever, even in its own despite, must be venerable, must create respect and to have it ill treated, is to me worse, more cruel and wicked than anything on earth.

Frances Burney

Insensibility, of all kinds, and on all occasions, most moves my imperial displeasure.

Frances Burney

When once-which every body must be-you are convinced of the wickedness and deceit of men, it is impossible to preserve untainted your own innocence of heart. Experience will prove the depravity of mankind, and the conviction of it only serves to create distrust, suspicion-caution-and sometimes causelessly.

Frances Burney

Look at your [English] ladies of quality are they not forever parting with their husbands - forfeiting their reputations - and is their life aught but dissipation? In common genteel life, indeed, you may now and then meet with very fine girls - who have politeness, sense and conversation - but these are few - and then look at your trademen's daughters - what are they? poor creatures indeed! all pertness, imitation and folly.

Frances Burney

he said, 'Madam-may I presume?'-and stopped, offering to take my hand. I...could scarce forbear laughing. 'Allow me, Madam,' continuing he, affectedly breaking off every half moment, 'the honour and happiness...the happiness and honor...

Frances Burney

No, Madam,' cried I, '-only-only I did not know that gentleman,-and so,-and so I thought-I intended-I-' Overpowered by all that had passed, I had not strength to make my mortifying explanation; - my spirits quite failed me, and I burst into tears.

Frances Burney

I cannot sleep - great joy is as restless as great sorrow.

Frances Burney

But if the young are never tired of erring in conduct, neither are the older in erring of judgment.

Frances Burney

For my part, I confess I seldom listen to the players: one has so much to do, in looking about and finding out one's acquaintance, that, really, one has no time to mind the stage. One merely comes to meet one's friends, and show that one's alive.

Frances Burney

The mind is but too naturally prone to pleasure, but too easily yielded to dissipation.

Frances Burney

People who live together naturally catch the looks and air of one another and without having one feature alike, they contract a something in the whole countenance which strikes one as a resemblance.

Frances Burney

To whom, then, must I dedicate my wonderful, surprising and interesting adventures? to whom dare I reveal my private opinion of my nearest relations? the secret thoughts of my dearest friends? my own hopes, fears, reflections and dislikes? Nobody!

Frances Burney