Daniel Defoe

Explore 6 quotes by Daniel Defoe

Vice came in always at the door of necessity, not at the door of inclination.

Daniel Defoe

Moll Flanders

More information about this quote

Topic

Vice Moral theory Morality

Author

Daniel Defoe

Source

Moll Flanders

Medium

Novel

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1722 1720s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Defoe, Daniel, [published anonymously]. Moll Flanders. London: William Rufus Chetwood, 1722.

Current Citation

Defoe, Daniel. Moll Flanders: A Norton Critical Edition, edited by Albert J. Rivero. W.W. Norton & Company, 2003.

Actions receive their tincture from the times,
And as they change, are virtues made or crimes.

Daniel Defoe

More information about this quote

Topic

Custom and convention Moral relativism Moral theory Morality

Author

Daniel Defoe

Source

A Hymn to the Pillory

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1703 1700s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Defoe, Daniel. A Hymn to the Pillory. London: 1703, I. 29.

Nature has left this Tincture in the Blood,
That all Men wou'd be Tyrants if they cou'd.

Daniel Defoe

More information about this quote

Topic

Tyranny Abuse of power Human nature

Author

Daniel Defoe

Source

The History of the Kentish Petition

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1701 1700s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Defoe, Daniel. The History of the Kentish Petition. London, 1701.

Why then should women be denied the benefit of instruction? If knowledge and understanding had been useless additions to the sex, God Almighty would never have given them capacities.

Daniel Defoe

More information about this quote

Topic

Women's rights Education Women

Author

Daniel Defoe

Source

Of Academies: An Academy for Women An Essay Upon Projects

Medium

Essay

Statement Type

Question

Language

English

Time

1697 1690s 17th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Defoe, Daniel. "Of Academies: An Academy for Women." An Essay Upon Projects. London: Tho. Cockerill, 1697.

Wherever God erects a house of prayer,
The Devil always builds a chapel there;
And 'twill be found upon examination,
The latter has the largest congregation.

Daniel Defoe

More information about this quote

Topic

The devil

Author

Daniel Defoe

Source

The True-Born Englishman: A Satyr

Medium

Poem

Genre

Satire

Language

English

Time

1701 1700s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Defoe, Daniel. The True-Born Englishman: A Satyr. 1701, pt. 1, I. 1.

Pleasure is a thief to business.

Daniel Defoe

More information about this quote

Topic

Business and pleasure Business Pleasure

Author

Daniel Defoe

Source

The Complete English Tradesman

Language

English

Time

1726 1720s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Defoe, Daniel. The Complete English Tradesman. London: 1726.