Habits are soon assumed; but when we strive to strip them off, ’tis being flayed alive.
WILLIAM COWPERHabits are soon assumed; but when we strive to strip them off, ’tis being flayed alive.
WILLIAM COWPERManner is all in all, whate’er is writ,The substitute for genius, sense, and wit.
WILLIAM COWPERReasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.
WILLIAM COWPERWhile truths, on which eternal things depend, can hardly find a single friend.
WILLIAM COWPERYe fearful saints fresh courage take, The clouds you so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break, With blessings on your head
WILLIAM COWPERA fool must now and then be right, by chance
WILLIAM COWPERI will pray, therefore, for blessings on my friends, even though they cease to be so, and upon my enemies, though they continue such.
WILLIAM COWPERWhat peaceful hours I once enjoy’d! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void The world can never fill.
WILLIAM COWPEROh to have a lodge in some vast wilderness. Where rumors of oppression and deceit, of unsuccessful and successful wars may never reach me anymore.
WILLIAM COWPEREngland 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.
WILLIAM COWPERKnowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no more.
WILLIAM COWPERBuilt God a church and laughed His word to scorn.
WILLIAM COWPERThe rich are too indolent, the poor too weak, to bear the insupportable fatigue of thinking.
WILLIAM COWPERRestraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer keeps the Christian’s armor bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.
WILLIAM COWPERVariety’s the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.
WILLIAM COWPERThe only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.
WILLIAM COWPER