Fanny Burney
Fanny Burney
Frances Burney, also known as Fanny Burney and after her marriage as Madame d'Arblay, was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. She was born in Lynn Regis, now King's Lynn, England, on 13 June 1752, to musical historian Dr. Charles Burneyand Esther Sleepe Burney. The third of six children, she was self-educated and began writing what she called her "scribblings" at the age of ten. In 1793, aged 41, she married a French exile, General Alexandre D'Arblay. Their only son,...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth13 June 1752
Fanny Burney quotes about
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.
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.
She [Evelina] is not, indeed, like most modern young ladies; to be known in half an hour; her modest worth, and fearful excellence, require both time and encouragement to show themselves.
To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind.
A little alarm now and then keeps life from stagnation.
Never shall I recollect the occasion he gave me of displeasure, without feeling it renewed.
The mind is but too naturally prone to pleasure, but too easily yielded to dissipation
Generosity without delicacy, like wit without judgement, generally gives as much pain as pleasure.
to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment.
We relate all our afflictions more frequently than we do our pleasures.
Tired, ashamed, and mortified, I begged to sit down till we returned home, which I did soon after. Lord Orville did me the honour to hand me to the coach, talking all the way of the honour I had done him ! O these fashionable people!
it has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty.
But if the young are never tired of erring in conduct, neither are the older in erring of judgment.
To a heart formed for friendship and affection the charms of solitude are very short-lived.