Named source · 1749

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Quotes by Henry Fielding: Context & Meanings

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It is much easier to make good men wise, than to make bad men good.

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“It is much easier to make good men wise, than to make bad men good.”

Henry Fielding

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Fielding distinguishes correcting the judgment of basically well-intentioned people from trying to reform people whose conduct is fundamentally committed to wrongdoing.

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The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, concluding authorial reflection, Project Gutenberg #6593. Fielding explains one of the novel’s stated moral aims: prudence can protect virtue from traps that deceit and indiscretion create.

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