Frederick Marryat Quotes & Sayings

If I cannot narrate a life of adventurous and daring exploits, fortunately I have no heavy crimes to confess: and, if I do not rise in the estimation of the reader for acts of gallantry and devotion in my country's cause, at least I may claim the merit of zealous and persevering continuance in my vocation. We are all of us variously gifted from Above, and he who is content to walk, instead of to run, on his allotted path through life, although he may not so rapidly attain the goal, has the advantage of not being out of breath upon his arrival. — Frederick Marryat

Mr Witherington senior persuaded his son to enter the banking-house, and, as a dutiful son, he entered it every day; but he did nothing more, having made the fortunate discovery that "his father was born before him;" or, in other words, that his father had plenty of money, and would be necessitated to leave it behind him. — Frederick Marryat

It's just six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. — Frederick Marryat

In the course of crime ... the descent is rapid. — Frederick Marryat

Horses, and all animals indeed, know that there is no place like home; it is a pity that men who consider themselves much wiser, have not the same consideration, — Frederick Marryat

Every man paddles his own canoe. — Frederick Marryat

... the sea defrauds many an honest undertaker of his profits. — Frederick Marryat

White lies are ushers to black ones. — Frederick Marryat

I very sorry now, Missy Edith - but cat bite me," said Pablo. "Well, if pussy did, it didn't hurt you much; and what did I tell you this morning out of the Bible? - that you must forgive them who behave ill to you." "Yes, Missy Edith, you tell me all that, and so I do; I forgive pussy 'cause she bite me, but I kick her for it." "That's not forgiveness, is it, Edward? You should have forgiven it at once, and not kicked it at all." "Miss Edith, when pussy bite me, pussy hurt me, make me angry, and I give her a kick; then I think what you tell me, and I do as you tell me. I forgive pussy with all my heart. — Frederick Marryat

I would rather write for the instruction, or even the amusement of the poor than for the amusement of the rich. — Frederick Marryat

- to wit, 'the sweat of the brow. — Frederick Marryat

The pen is a poor exchange for the long-barreled gun." "It does more execution, nevertheless, — Frederick Marryat

... secrecy adds a charm to an amour ... — Frederick Marryat

Thus did Jack Easy make the best use that he could of his strength, and become, as it were, the champion and security — Frederick Marryat

Poor men ... always make love better than those who are rich, because, having less to care about, and not being puffed up with their own consequence, they are not so selfish and think much more of the lady than of themselves. — Frederick Marryat

Gentle reader, I was born upon the water - not upon the salt and angry ocean, but upon the fresh and rapid-flowing river. — Frederick Marryat

here I am, after having been a warrior and a prince, cook, steward and everything else, boiling kettle for de young gentlemen. — Frederick Marryat

In the vast archipelago of the east, where Borneo and Java and Sumatra lie, and the Molucca Islands, and the Philippines, the sea is often fanned only by the land and sea breezes, and is like a smooth bed, on which these islands seem to sleep in bliss,
islands in which the spice and perfume gardens of the world are embowered, and where the bird of paradise has its home, and the golden pheasant, and a hundred others of brilliant plumage, whose flight is among thickets so luxuriant, and scenery so picturesque, that European strangers find there the fairy land of their youthful dreams. — Frederick Marryat

There is an old saying, that there is honour amongst thieves, and so it often proves. — Frederick Marryat

They say that the British cannot fix anything properly without a dinner, but I'm sure the Americans can fix nothing without a drink. If you meet, you drink; if you part, you drink; if you make acquaintance, you drink; if you close a bargain, you drink; they quarrel in their drink, and they make it up with a drink. They drink, because it is hot; they drink, because it is cold. If successful in elections, they drink and rejoice; if not, they drink and swear; - they begin to drink early in the morning, they leave off late at night; they commence it early in life, and they continue it, until they soon drop into the grave. To use their own expression, the way they drink is "quite a caution." As for water, what the man said, when asked to belong to the Temperance Society, appears to be the general opinion: "it's very good for navigation. — Frederick Marryat

Philosophy is said to console a man under disappointment, although Shakespeare asserts that it is no remedy for a toothache; so Mr Easy turned philosopher, the very best profession a man can take up who is fit for nothing else. — Frederick Marryat

But what was most remarkable, Broadway being three miles long, and the booths lining each side of it, in every booth there was a roast pig, large or small, as the centre attraction. Six miles of roast pig! And that in New York City alone; and roast pig in every other city, town, hamlet, and village in the Union. What association can there be between roast pig and independence? — Frederick Marryat

There is no composing draught like the draught through the tube of a pipe. — Frederick Marryat

All lies, white or black, disgrace a gentleman, although I grant there is a difference: to say the least of it, it is a dangerous habit, for white lies are but the gentleman ushers to black ones. — Frederick Marryat

it is an old saying, that you must not work a willing horse to death. — Frederick Marryat

Young ladies ... who fall in love, never consider whether there is sufficient "to make the pot boil" - probably because young ladies in love lose their appetites, and, not feeling inclined to eat at that time, they imagine that love will always supply the want of food. — Frederick Marryat

Women are riddles - I only argued upon the common sense of the thing. — Frederick Marryat

There's no getting blood out of a turnip. — Frederick Marryat

Vanity is a confounded donkey, very apt to put his head between his legs, and chuck us over; but pride is a fine horse, that will carry us over the ground, and enable us to distance our fellow-travelers. — Frederick Marryat

Come, my men! never say die while there's a shot in the locker. — Frederick Marryat

credulity and superstition are close friends — Frederick Marryat