Quote

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

More quotes by William Cowper

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A moral, sensible, and well-bred manWill not affront me, and no other can.
William Cowper
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When one that holds communion with the skies Has fill'd his urn where these pure waters rise, And once more mingles with us meaner things, 'Tis e'en as if an angel shook his wings.
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Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds, Exhilirate the spirit, and restore The tone of languid nature.
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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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Thieves at home must hang but he that puts Into his overgorged and bloated purse The wealth of Indian provinces, escapes.
William Cowper
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Tis pleasant, through the loopholes of retreat, To peep at such a world to see the stir Of the Great Babel, and not feel the crowd.
William Cowper
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How readily we wish time spent revoked, that we might try the ground again where once--through inexperience, as we now perceive--we missed that happiness we might have found!
William Cowper
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But still remember, if you mean to please, To press your point with modesty and ease.
William Cowper
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A lawyer's dealings should be just and fair Honesty shines with great advantage there.
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O, popular applause! what heart of man is proof against thy sweet, seducing charms?
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The proud are ever most provoked by pride.
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Restraining prayer, we cease to fight Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.
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What is there in the vale of lifeHalf so delightful as a wifeWhen friendship, love and peace combineTo stamp the marriage-bond divine?
William Cowper
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All truth is precious, if not all divine and what dilates the powers must needs refine.
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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He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, And all are slaves besides.
William Cowper
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Men deal with life as children with their play, Who first misuse, then cast their toys away.
William Cowper
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The spleen is seldom felt where Flora reigns The low'ring eye, the petulance, the frown, And sullen sadness, that o'ershade, distort, And mar the face of beauty, when no cause For such immeasurable woe appears These Flora banishes, and gives the fair Sweet smiles, and bloom less transient than her own.
William Cowper
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How sweet, how passing sweet, is solitude! But grant me still a friend in my retreat, whom I may whisper, solitude is sweet.
William Cowper
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...So let us welcome peaceful evening in.
William Cowper