The rich are too indolent, the poor too weak, to bear the insupportable fatigue of thinking.
WILLIAM COWPERReasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.
More William Cowper Quotes
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The proud are ever most provoked by pride.
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Pride made the devil, and the devil made sin; So God made a cole-pit to put the devil in.
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England with all thy faults, I love thee still– My country! and, while yet a nook is left Where English minds and manners may be found, Shall be constrained to love thee.
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O solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.
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And the tear that is wiped with a little address, May be follow’d perhaps by a smile.
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Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.
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Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa around, And while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn
WILLIAM COWPER -
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flow’r. 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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God made bees, and bees made honey, God made man, and man made money,
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Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour;
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Tis liberty alone that gives the flower Of fleeting life its lustre and perfume; And we are weeds without it.
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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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We are never more in danger than when we think ourselves most secure, nor in reality more secure than when we seem to be most in danger.
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Accomplishments have taken virtue’s place, and wisdom falls before exterior grace.
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The nurse sleeps sweetly, hired to watch the sick, / whom, snoring, she disturbs.
WILLIAM COWPER