When children are doing nothing, they are doing mischief.

Sourced, The History of Tom Jones
(1749)

Book XV, Ch. 2

Other Henry Fielding Quotes

Some folks rail against other folks, because other folks have what some folks would be glad of. - View Quote Details on Some folks rail against other folks, because other folks have…
Lo, when two dogs are fighting in the streets,
With a third dog one of the two dogs meets;
With angry teeth he bites him to the bone,
And this dog smarts for what that dog has done. - View Quote Details on Lo, when two dogs are fighting in the streets,
With a…
Distinction without a difference. - View Quote Details on Distinction without a difference.
These are called the pious frauds of friendship. - View Quote Details on These are called the pious frauds of friendship.
I am as sober as a judge. - View Quote Details on I am as sober as a judge.
The same animal which hath the honour to have some part of his flesh eaten at the table of a duke, may perhaps be degraded in another part,and some of his limbs gibbeted, as it were, in the vilest stall in town. - View Quote Details on The same animal which hath the honour to have some…
A lover, when he is admitted to cards, ought to be solemnly silent, and observe the motions of his mistress. He must laugh when she laughs, sigh when she sighs. In short, he should be the shadow of her mind. A lady, in the presence of her lover, should never want a looking-glass; as a beau, in the presence of his looking-glass, never wants a mistress. - View Quote Details on A lover, when he is admitted to cards, ought to…
Thwackum was for doing justice, and leaving mercy to heaven. - View Quote Details on Thwackum was for doing justice, and leaving mercy to heaven.
The dusky night rides down the sky,
And ushers in the morn;
The hounds all join in glorious cry,
The huntsman winds his horn,
And a-hunting we will go. - View Quote Details on The dusky night rides down the sky,
And ushers in the…
When widows exclaim loudly against second marriages, I would always lay a wager that the man, if not the wedding day, is absolutely fixed on. - View Quote Details on When widows exclaim loudly against second marriages, I would always…