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God never meant that man should scale the Heavens By strides of human wisdom. In his works, Though wondrous, he commands us in his word To seek him rather where his mercy shines.

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
Word
Command
Strides
Though
Shining
Stride
Heaven
Mercy
Commands
Rather
God
Wondrous
Human
Meant
Shines
Humans
Seek
Heavens
Never
Works
Scale
Men
Wisdom
Scales

More quotes by William Cowper

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Knowledge is proud that it knows so much wisdom is humble that it knows no more.
William Cowper
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They fix attention, heedless of your pain, With oaths like rivets forced into the brain And e'en when sober truth prevails throughout, They swear it, till affirmance breeds a doubt.
William Cowper
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Friends, books, a garden, and perhaps his pen, Delightful industry enjoy'd at home, An Nature, in her cultivated trim Dress'ed to his taste, inviting him abroad - Can he want occupation who has these?
William Cowper
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Religion does not censure or exclude Unnumbered pleasures, harmlessly pursued.
William Cowper
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We turn to dust, and all our mightiest works die too.
William Cowper
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The only amaranthine flower on earth is virtue the only lasting treasure, truth.
William Cowper
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Forced from home, and all its pleasures, afric coast I left forlorn to increase a stranger's treasures, o the raging billows borne. Men from England bought and sold me, paid my price in paltry gold but, though theirs they have enroll'd me, minds are never to be sold.
William Cowper
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When I thinkof my own native land, In a moment I seem to be there But alas! recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair.
William Cowper
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How various his employments whom the world Calls idle and who justly in return Esteems that busy world an idler too!
William Cowper
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Learning itself, received into a mind By nature weak, or viciously inclined, Serves but to lead philosophers astray, Where children would with ease discern the way.
William Cowper
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He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, And all are slaves besides.
William Cowper
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Transforms old print To zigzag manuscript, and cheats the eyes Of gallery critics by a thousand arts.
William Cowper
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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.
William Cowper
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Absence of occupation is not rest A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.
William Cowper
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Some to the fascination of a name, Surrender judgment hoodwinked.
William Cowper
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Grief is itself a medicine.
William Cowper
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When nations are to perish in their sins, 'tis in the Church the leprosy begins.
William Cowper
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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.
William Cowper
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The Spirit breathes upon the Word and brings the truth to sight.
William Cowper
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The mind, relaxing into needful sport, Should turn to writers of an abler sort, Whose wit well managed, and whose classic style, Give truth a lustre, and make wisdom smile.
William Cowper