Quote

I never had any other desire so strong, and so like covetousness, as that ... I might be master at last of a small house and a large garden, with very moderate conveniences joined to them, and there dedicate the remainder of my life to the culture of them and the study of nature.

Abraham Cowley

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Abraham Cowley
Age: 49 †
Born: 1618
Born: January 1
Died: 1667
Died: July 28
Essayist
Playwright
Poet
Prosaist
the City
Life
Desire
Master
Remainder
Like
Culture
Garden
Covetousness
Strong
Large
Dedicate
House
Masters
Moderate
Nature
Study
Moderates
Home
Small
Convenience
Might
Lasts
Joined
Never
Last
Simplicity
Conveniences

More quotes by Abraham Cowley

Image
Who that has reason, and his smell, Would not among roses and jasmin dwell?
Abraham Cowley
Image
The world's a scene of changes.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Thus each extreme to equal danger tends, Plenty, as well as Want, can sep'rate friends.
Abraham Cowley
Image
The liberty of a people consists in being governed by laws which they have made themselves, under whatsoever form it be of government the liberty of a private man, in being master of his own time and actions, as far as may consist with the laws of God and of his country.
Abraham Cowley
Image
To-day is ours what do we fear? To-day is ours we have it here. Let's treat it kindly, that it may Wish, at least, with us to stay. Let's banish business, banish sorrow To the gods belong to-morrow.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Awake, awake, my Lyre!And tell thy silent master's humble taleIn sounds that may prevailSounds that gentle thoughts inspire:Though so exalted sheAnd I so lowly beTell her, such different notes make all thy harmony.
Abraham Cowley
Image
We may talk what we please, he cries in his enthusiasm for the oldest of the arts, of lilies, and lions rampant, and spread eagles, in fields d'or or d'argent but, if heraldry were guided by reason, a plough in a field arable would be the most noble and ancient arms.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Stones of small worth may lie unseen by day, But night itself does the rich gem betray.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Build yourself a book-nest to forget the world without.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Sleep is a god too proud to wait in palaces, and yet so humble too as not to scorn the meanest country cottages.
Abraham Cowley
Image
This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for envy, for contempt to high.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Man is too near all kinds of beasts,--a fawning dog, a roaring lion, a thieving fox, a robbing wolf, a dissembling crocodile, a treacherous decoy, and a rapacious vulture.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Ah! Wretched and too solitary he who loves not his own company.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Life is an incurable disease.
Abraham Cowley
Image
To be a husbandman, is but a retreat from the city to be a philosopher, from the world or rather, a retreat from the world, as it is man's, into the world, as it is God's.
Abraham Cowley
Image
What shall I do to be for ever known, And make the age to come my own?
Abraham Cowley
Image
Fill the bowl with rosy wine, around our temples roses twine, And let us cheerfully awhile, like wine and roses, smile.
Abraham Cowley
Image
Curs'd be that wretch (Death's factor sure) who brought Dire swords into the peaceful world, and taught Smiths (who before could only make The spade, the plough-share, and the rake) Arts, in most cruel wise Man's left to epitomize!
Abraham Cowley
Image
Thus would I double my life's fading spaceFor he that runs it well, runs twice his race.
Abraham Cowley
Image
I confess I love littleness almost in all things. A little convenient estate, a little cheerful house, a little company, and a little feast.
Abraham Cowley