[Ads-l] Quote: Adversity is the trial of principle; without it, a man hardly knows whether he is an honest man. (Reassigned to a rival)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

The quotation in the subject line is usually attributed to the famous
19th century English writer Henry Fielding who wrote the popular and
scandalous novel “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling”. I was asked
to determine the true originator.

The earliest match I found appeared in a novel by Samuel Richardson
who was Fielding’s literary rival.

[ref] 1754 (First published 1753), The History Of Sir Charles
Grandison In A Series of Letters by the Editor of Pamela and Clarissa
(Samuel Richardson), Volume 5 of 7, Third Edition, Letter 12, From:
Sir Charles Grandison, To: Mr. Grandison, Location: Bologna, Date:
June 4, Start Page 66, Quote Page 67, Printed for S. Richardson,
London. (Google Books Full View) [/ref]

https://books.google.com/books?id=Ow5MAAAAcAAJ&q=%22man+hardly%22#v=snippet&

[Begin excerpt]
Adversity is the trial of principle; Without it, a man hardly knows
whether he is an honest man.
[End excerpt]

Richardson wrote "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded". Fielding responded with
the parody "Shamela". Fielding also responded with "The History of Tom
Jones, a Foundling". Richardson responded to "Tom Jones" with "The
History Of Sir Charles Grandison".

The article about tracing the quotation is available here:
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2024/09/03/adversity-honest/

Feedback welcome
Garson O’Toole
QuoteInvestigator.com

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