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If my resolution to be a great man was half so strong as it is to despise the shame of being a little one.

William Cowper

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William Cowper
Age: 68 †
Born: 1731
Born: November 26
Died: 1800
Died: April 25
Hymnwriter
Poet
Poet Lawyer
Translator
Writer
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
Despise
Great
Resolution
Men
Shame
Attitude
Half
Strong
Littles
Little

More quotes by William Cowper

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The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.
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Nature is a good name for an effect whose cause is God.
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Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.
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There is in souls a sympathy with sounds: And as the mind is pitch'd the ear is pleased With melting airs, or martial, brisk or grave Some chord in unison with what we hear Is touch'd within us, and the heart replies.
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Domestic happiness, thou only bliss Of paradise that has surviv'd the fall!
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Defend me, therefore, common sense, say From reveries so airy, from the toil Of dropping buckets into empty wells, And growing old in drawing nothing up.
William Cowper
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Blest be the art that can immortalize.
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When nations are to perish in their sins, 'tis in the Church the leprosy begins.
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Spring hangs her infant blossoms on the trees, Rock'd in the cradle of the western breeze.
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My soul is sick with every day's report of wrong and outrage with which earth is filled.
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Good sense, good health, good conscience, and good fame,--all these belong to virtue, and all prove that virtue has a title to your love.
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The man to solitude accustom'd long, Perceives in everything that lives a tongue Not animals alone, but shrubs and trees Have speech for him, and understood with ease, After long drought when rains abundant fall, He hears the herbs and flowers rejoicing all.
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They best can judge a poet's worth, Who oft themselves have known The pangs of a poetic birth By labours of their own.
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Dejection of spirits, which may have prevented many a man from becoming an author, made me one. I find constant employment necessary, and therefore take care to be constantly employed. . . . When I can find no other occupation, I think and when I think, I am very apt to do it in rhyme.
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Could he with reason murmur at his case, Himself sole author of his own disgrace?
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Religion, richest favor of the skies.
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We turn to dust, and all our mightiest works die too.
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The darkest day, if you live till tomorrow, will have passed away.
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E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream thy flowing wounds supply, redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
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The still small voice is wanted.
William Cowper