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

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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
Fill
Hindrances
Fortune
Obstruct
Strength
Magnanimity
Seen
Gale
Half
Hindrance
Take
Sail
Way
Canvas
Display
Propitious

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Is base in kind, and born to be a slave.
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God forbid that Judges upon their oath should make resolutions to enlarge jurisdiction.
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The beggarly last doit.
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Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.
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He that negotiates between God and man, As God's ambassador, the grand concerns Of judgment and of mercy, should beware Of lightness in his speech.
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There is a mixture of evil in everything we do indulgence encourages us to encroach, while we Crabbe exercise the rights of children, we become childish.
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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.
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An idler is a watch that wants both hands As useless if it goes as when it stands.
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I crown thee king of intimate delights, Fire-side enjoyments, home-born happiness, And all the comforts that the lowly roof Of undisturb'd retirement, and the hours Of long uninterrupted ev'ning, know.
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Though peace be made, yet it's interest that keep peace.
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Meditation here may think down hours to moments. Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head and learning wiser grow without his books.
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Stamps God's own name upon a lie just made, To turn a penny in the way of trade.
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Made poetry a mere mechanic art.
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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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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.
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The still small voice is wanted.
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Admirals extolled for standing still, or doing nothing with a deal of skill.
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The parson knows enough who knows a Duke.
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The only amarantine flower on earth Is virtue.
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