William Cowper Quotes
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Give what thou canst, without Thee we are poor; And with Thee rich, take what Thou wilt away.
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Necessity invented stools, Convenience next suggested elbow-chairs, And luxury the accomplish'd Sofa last.
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Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no more.
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A lawyer's dealings should be just and fair; Honesty shines with great advantage there.
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Habits are soon assumed; but when we strive to strip them off, 'tis being flayed alive.
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True modesty is a discerning grace And only blushes in the proper place; But counterfeit is blind, and skulks through fear, Where 'tis a shame to be asham'd t' appear: Humility the parent of the first, The last by vanity produc'd and nurs'd.
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How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compared with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind, And the swift-winged arrows of light.
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No, Freedom has a thousand charms to show That slaves, howe'er contented, never know.
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God forbid that Judges upon their oath should make resolutions to enlarge jurisdiction.
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This cabin, Mary, in my sight appears, Built as it has been in our waning years, A rest afforded to our weary feet, Preliminary to - the last retreat.
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The innocent seldom find an uncomfortable pillow.
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I will venture to assert, that a just translation of any ancient poet in rhyme is impossible. No human ingenuity can be equal to the task of closing every couplet with sounds homotonous, expressing at the same time the full sense, and only the full sense of his original.
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An idler is a watch that wants both hands; As useless if it goes as when it stands.
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Built God a church and laughed His word to scorn.
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The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear; And something, every day they live, To pity, and perhaps forgive.
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His wit invites you by his looks to come, But when you knock, it never is at home.
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God made the country, and man made the town.
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Come, evening, once again, season of peace; Return, sweet evening, and continue long! Methinks I see thee in the streaky west, With matron step, slow moving, while the night Treads on thy sweeping train; one hand employ'd In letting fall the curtain of repose On bird and beast, the other charged for man With sweet oblivion of the cares of day.
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As if the world and they were hand and glove.
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I would not enter on my list of friends (Though graced with polished manners and fine sense, Yet wanting sensibility) the man Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.
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Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay.
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But still remember, if you mean to please, To press your point with modesty and ease.
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A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.
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Just knows, and knows no more, her Bible true,- A truth the brilliant Frenchman never knew.