Quote

If hindrances obstruct the way, Thy magnanimity display. And let thy strength be seen: But O, if Fortune fill thy sail With more than a propitious gale, Take half thy canvas in.

William Cowper

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

William Cowper
Age: 68 †
Born: 1731
Born: November 26
Died: 1800
Died: April 25
Hymnwriter
Poet
Poet Lawyer
Translator
Writer
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
Strength
Magnanimity
Seen
Gale
Half
Hindrance
Take
Sail
Way
Canvas
Display
Propitious
Fill
Hindrances
Fortune
Obstruct

More quotes by William Cowper

Image
Misery still delights to trace Its semblance in another's case.
William Cowper
Image
A tale should be judicious, clear, succinct The language plain, and incidents well link'd Tell not as new what ev'ry body knows and, new or old, still hasten to a close.
William Cowper
Image
Not a flower But shows some touch, in freckle, streak or stain, Of his unrivall'd pencil. He inspires Their balmy odors, and imparts their hues, And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes In grains as countless as the seaside sands, The forms with which he sprinkles all the earth Happy who walks with him!
William Cowper
Image
There goes the parson, oh illustrious spark! And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk.
William Cowper
Image
The beggarly last doit.
William Cowper
Image
A life all turbulence and noise may seem To him that leads it wise and to be praised, But wisdom is a pearl with most success Sought in still waters.
William Cowper
Image
What is it but a map of busy life, Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns?
William Cowper
Image
I have a kitten,the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
William Cowper
Image
The earth was made so various, that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change, And pleased with novelty, might be indulged.
William Cowper
Image
Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.
William Cowper
Image
Slaves cannot breathe in England if their lungs Receive our air, that moment they are free They touch our country, and their shackles fall.
William Cowper
Image
I am out of humanity's reach.I must finish my journey alone,Never hear the sweet music of speechI start at the sound of my own.
William Cowper
Image
The slaves of custom and established mode, With pack-horse constancy we keep the road Crooked or straight, through quags or thorny dells, True to the jingling of our leader's bells.
William Cowper
Image
The solemn fop significant and budge A fool with judges, amongst fools a judge
William Cowper
Image
A Christian's wit is offensive light, A beam that aids, but never grieves the sight Vig'rous in age as in the flush of youth, 'Tis always active on the side of truth.
William Cowper
Image
The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all And every soul bawled out, Well done! As loud as he could bawl.
William Cowper
Image
Heaven speed the canvas, gallantly unfurl'd, To furnish and accommodate a world, To give the Pole the produce of the sun, And knit the unsocial climates into one.
William Cowper
Image
All zeal for a reform, that gives offence To peace and charity, is mere pretence.
William Cowper
Image
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
Image
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
William Cowper