Henry Fielding (1707–54) was an English novelist. He established the genre’s inventive purpose as a massive criticism of life and culture.
Educated at Eton and Leiden, Fielding wrote numerous satirical burlesques including The Historical Register for 1736 (1737.) Such sharp political satires of Prime Minister Robert Walpole’s government provoked the introduction of censorship in England. The ensuing Licensing Act of 1737 effectively ended Fielding’s career as a dramatist.
Fielding then turned to write picaresque novels, notably Joseph Andrews (1742) and Tom Jones (1749.) The latter is considered the first undisputed masterpiece of English novels. The central character is a charming, uninhibited youthful man of fierce temper, who pursues true love through contemporary Britain in a sequence of contemptible and hilarious adventures.
In addition to his literary genius, Fielding holds a significant place in the history of law enforcement. In 1749, he used his authority as a magistrate to institute the Bow Street Runners, arguably London’s first professional police force.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Henry Fielding
There cannot be a more glorious object in creation than a human being replete with benevolence, meditating in what manner he may render himself most acceptable to the Creator by doing good to his creatures.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Benevolence
Sir, money, money, the most charming of all things: money, which will say more in one moment than the most elegant lover can in years. Perhaps you will say a man is not young; I answer he is rich. He is not genteel, handsome, witty, brave, good-humored, but he is rich, rich, rich, rich, rich—that one word contradicts everything you can say against him.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Money, Riches
The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best of hearts.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Kindness
Considering the unforeseen events of this world, we should be taught that no human condition should inspire men with absolute despair.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Despair
Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it, a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Difficulties, Adversity, Vision
Great joy, especially after a sudden change of circumstances, is apt to be silent, and dwells rather in the heart than on the tongue.
—Henry Fielding
When I’m not thank’d at all, I’m thank’d enough. I’ve done my duty, and I’ve done no more.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Gratitude, Appreciation
There is an insolence which none but those who themselves deserve contempt can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.
—Henry Fielding
It hath often been said that it is not death but dying that is terrible.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Dying, Death
What’s vice today may be virtue, tomorrow.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Virtue
Distance of time and place generally cure what they seem to aggravate; and taking leave of our friends resembles taking leave of the world, of which it has been said, that it is not death, but dying, which is terrible.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Death, Dying, Absence
However exquisitely human nature may have been described by writers, the true practical system can be learned only in the world.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Humanity, Human Nature
Money will say more in one moment than the most eloquent lover can in years.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Money
My angel, cries Booth, it delights me to hear you talk thus, and for a reason you little guess; for I am assured that one who can so heroically endure adversity, will bear prosperity with equal greatness of soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former, is not likely to be transported with the latter.
—Henry Fielding
Topics: Perseverance, Character, Adversity
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