Daniel Defoe, born Daniel Foe in 1660 in London, England, was a pioneering English writer, journalist, and pamphleteer who lived until 1731. He is best known for his novel “Robinson Crusoe” (1719), often credited as one of the first English novels, which drew from real-life adventures and themes of survival. Defoe’s career highlights include his influential works like “Moll Flanders” (1722) and his extensive writings on politics, economics, and social issues, making him a key figure in early journalism. His notable achievements encompass shaping the modern novel genre and providing commentary on human resilience and morality. The quotes featured here are sourced exclusively from his books and essays, offering timeless insights into life. Below is a curated list of 15 Daniel Defoe quotes about life, reflecting his profound observations on human experience.
15 Daniel Defoe Quotes
1. “I have learned to look upon every part of my life with content, and wish for nothing altered in the whole.” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
2. “All our discontents about what we want appear to me to spring from want of thankfulness for what we have.” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
3. “The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.” (Book, “Serious Reflections During the Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe”, 1720)
4. “The height of human wisdom is to bring our tempers down to our circumstances, and to make a calm within, under the weight of the greatest storm without.” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
5. “Necessity makes an honest man a knave.” (Book, “Moll Flanders”, 1722)
6. “I had now brought my state of life to be much easier in itself than it was at first, and much easier than I expected.” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
7. “How strange a checker-work of Providence is the life of man!” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
8. “Vice is its own punishment.” (Book, “The Family Instructor”, 1715)
9. “It is better to have a lion at the head of an army of sheep than a sheep at the head of an army of lions.” (Book, “A Plan of the English Commerce”, 1728)
10. “The best provision for old age is a well-spent youth.” (Attributed in various writings, n.d.)
11. “Patience and labour will bring a man to anything.” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
12. “Fortune, that with malicious joy, does man her slave oppress.” (Book, “The True-Born Englishman”, 1701)
13. “I am not the first that has been miserable, nor the last.” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
14. “God is a good master, and works for those who wait for him.” (Book, “Robinson Crusoe”, 1719)
15. “It is never too late to be wise.” (Book, “The Complete English Tradesman”, 1726)
These quotes from Daniel Defoe’s works reveal his insightful views on life’s trials, emphasizing resilience, gratitude, and moral growth. They showcase a man who, through his characters, explored how adversity shapes character and fosters wisdom. Defoe’s reflections remind us that life’s challenges can lead to profound personal development. What resonates with you most? Share your thoughts or a favorite quote in the comments below.