John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
4363 Oliver Goldsmith 1730?-1774 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 4363 |
| AUTHOR: | Oliver Goldsmith (1730?–1774) |
| QUOTATION: | It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | The Hermit. Chap. x. |
| Note 1. An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit.—Pliny the Younger: Letters, book ii. letter xv. 1. [back] |