Quote

But poverty, with most who whimper forth Their long complaints, is self-inflicted woe The effect of laziness, or sottish write.

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
Self
Woe
Writing
Complaints
Long
Laziness
Forth
Effect
Effects
Poverty
Whimper
Write
Inflicted

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Those flimsy webs that break as soon as wrought, attain not to the dignity of thought.
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Some drill and bore The solid earth, and from the strata there Extract a register, by which we learn, That he who made it, and reveal'd its date To Moses, was mistaken in its age.
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Twere better to be born a stone Of ruder shape, and feeling none, Than with a tenderness like mine And sensibilities so fine! Ah, hapless wretch! condemn'd to dwell Forever in my native shell, Ordained to move when others please, Not for my own content or ease But toss'd and buffeted about, Now in the water and now out.
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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!
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Mountains interposed Make enemies of nations, who had else Like kindred drops been mingled into one.
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The still small voice is wanted.
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All constraint, / Except what wisdom lays on evil men, / Is evil.
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A story, in which native humour reigns, Is often useful, always entertains A graver fact, enlisted on your side, May furnish illustration, well applied But sedentary weavers of long tales Give me the fidgets, and my patience fails.
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There goes the parson, oh illustrious spark! And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk.
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No man can be a patriot on an empty stomach.
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Acquaint thyself with God, if thou would'st taste His works. Admitted once to his embrace, Thou shalt perceive that thou was blind before: Thine eye shall be instructed and thine heart Made pure shall relish with divine delight Till then unfelt, what hands divine have wrought.
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He that has seen both sides of fifty has lived to little purpose if he has no other views of the world than he had when he was much younger.
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Glory, built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.
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Ten thousand casks, Forever dribbling out their base contents, Touch'd by the Midas finger of the state, Bleed gold for ministers to sport away. Drink, and be mad then 'tis your country bids!
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Lived in his saddle, loved the chase, the course, And always, ere he mounted, kiss'd his horse.
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For when was public virtue to be found Where private was not?
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Tea - the cups that cheer but not inebriate.
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But still remember, if you mean to please, To press your point with modesty and ease.
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The cares of today are seldom those of tomorrow, and when we lie down at night we may safely say to most of our troubles, Ye have done your worst, and we shall see you no more.
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This fond attachment to the well-known place Whence first we started into life's long race, Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, We feel it e'en in age, and at our latest day.
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