To be a husbandman, is but a retreat from the city; to be a philosopher, from the world; or rather, a retreat from the world, as it is man’s, into the world, as it is God’s.
ABRAHAM COWLEYGod the first garden made, and the first city Cain.
More Abraham Cowley Quotes
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Nothing so soon the drooping spirits can raise As praises from the men, whom all men praise.
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This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for envy, for contempt to high.
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Life is an incurable disease.
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The world’s a scene of changes.
ABRAHAM COWLEY -
The spade, the plough-share, and the rake) Arts, in most cruel wise Man’s left to epitomize!
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I might be master at last of a small house and a large garden, with very moderate conveniences joined to them, and there dedicate the remainder of my life to the culture of them and the study of nature.
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Coy Nature, (which remain’d, though aged grown, A beauteous virgin still, enjoy’d by none, Nor seen unveil’d by anyone),
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Come, my best Friends! my Books! and lead me on.
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Who that has reason, and his smell, Would not among roses and jasmin dwell?
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May I a small house and large garden have; And a few friends, And many books, both true.
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Both wise, and both delightful too. And since Love ne’er will from me flee, A mistress moderately fair, And good as Guardian angels are, Only belov’d and loving me.
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Neither the praise nor the blame is our own.
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It is a hard and nice subject for a man to speak of himself: it grates his own heart to say anything of disparagement, and the reader’s ear to hear anything of praise from him.
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Man is too near all kinds of beasts,–a fawning dog, a roaring lion, a thieving fox, a robbing wolf, a dissembling crocodile, a treacherous decoy, and a rapacious vulture.
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What shall I do to be for ever known, And make the age to come my own?
ABRAHAM COWLEY