Every quotation a nineteenth-century speaker or writer might want, grouped under its subject, with the author, the date and the source given as exactly as Hoyt could manage.
540 quotations from The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896), with the subject each one is filed under.
Prophet of Khorassin. Condemned whole years in absence to deplore, And image charms he must behold no more.— filed under Absence
Pilgrims. Dec. 21, 1855. Not always actions show the man; we find Who does a kindness is not therefore kind.— filed under Action
For fools admire, but men of sense approve.— filed under Admiration
Be niggards of advice on no pretense; For the worst avarice is that of sense.— filed under Advice
Affectation There Affectation, with a sickly mien, Shows in her cheek the roses of eighteen.— filed under Affectation
Sonnet LXXXII. Learn to live well, or fairly make your will; You've played, and loved, and ate, and drank your fill. Walk sober off, before a sprightlier age Comes tittering on, and shoves you from the stage.— filed under Affliction
AGE (OLD). Me let the tender office long engage To rock the cradle of reposing age; With lenient arts extend a mother's breath, Make languor smile, and smooth the bed of death; Explore the thought, explain the asking eye! Begin to patch up thine old body for heaven. And keep awhile one parent from the sky.— filed under Affliction
Why will you break the Sabbath of my days? Now sick alike of Envy and of Praise.— filed under Affliction
I'll make thee glorious by my pen, And famous by my sword. MARQUIS OF MONTROSE (Jas. Graham)- My Dear and Only Love. But see how oft ambition's aims are cross'd, And chiefs contend 'til all the prize is lost!— filed under Ambition
Men would be angels, angels would be gods.— filed under Ambition
Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise, By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies? Heav'n still with laughter the vain toil surveys, And buries madmen in the heaps they raise.— filed under Ambition
Who knows but He, whose hand the lightning forms, Who heaves old ocean, and who wings the storms, Pours fierce ambition in a Cæsar's mind.— filed under Ambition
Psalm LX. In genial spring, beneath the quivering shade, Where cooling vapors breathe along the mead, The patient fisher takes his silent stand, Intent, his angle trembling in his hand; With looks unmov'd, he hopes the scaly breed, And eyes the dancing cork, and bending reed.— filed under Angling
Bear. The fur that warms a monarch, warm'd a bear.— filed under Animals-Dog
Mad Dog. But thinks, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog shall bear him company.— filed under Animals-Dog
I am his Highness' dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?— filed under Animals-Dog
Hermit. The mouse that always trusts to one poor hole, Can never be a mouse of any soul.— filed under Animals-Swine
How Instinct varies in the grov'ling swine.— filed under Animals-Swine
The hog that ploughs not, nor obeys thy call, Lives on the labours of this lord of all.— filed under Animals-Swine
Lamb and Douglas Jerrold. Ed. by Walter Jerrold. With sharpen'd sight pale Antiquaries pore, Th' inscription value, but the rust adore. This the blue varnish, that the green endears; The sacred rust of twice ten hundred years.— filed under Antiquity
What beck'ning ghost along the moonlight shade Invites my steps, and points to yonder glade?— filed under Apparitions
Johnson, 1780. Like Cato, give his little senate laws, And sit attentive to his own applause.— filed under Applause
Like doctors thus, when much dispute has past, We find our tenets just the same at last.— filed under Argument
Be niggards of advice on no pretence; For the worst avarice is that of sense.— filed under Babyhood
Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.— filed under Beauty
'Tis not a lip, or eye, we beauty call, But the joint force and full result of all.— filed under Beauty
The Poet's Tale. The Birds of Killingworth. Hear how the birds, on ev'ry blooming spray, With joyous musick wake the dawning day!— filed under Benevolence
Not half so swift the trembling doves can fly, When the fierce eagle cleaves the liquid sky; Not half so swiftly the fierce eagle moves, When thro' the clouds he drives the trembling doves.— filed under Birds-Dove
Fragm. 123. And little eagles wave their wings in gold.— filed under Birds-Dove
Say, will the falcon, stooping from above, Smit with her varying plumage, spare the dove? Admires the jay the insect's gilded wings? Or hears the hawk when Philomela sings?— filed under Birds-Falcon
Shall I, like Curtius, desperate in my zeal, O'er head and ears plunge for the common weal? Or rob Rome's ancient geese of all their glories, And cackling save the monarchy of Tories?— filed under Birds-Falcon
No more the mounting larks, while Daphne sings, Shall, list'ning, in mid-air suspend their wings.— filed under Birds-Lark
Imagination. To a Skylark. Linnet. Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat? Loves of his own, and raptures swell the note.— filed under Birds-Lark
See! from the brake the whirring pheasant springs, And mounts exulting on triumphant wings: Short is his joy; he feels the fiery wound, Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground.— filed under Birds-Pelican
Redbreast. The robin redbreast till of late had rest, And children sacred held a martin's nest.— filed under Birds-Robin
Is that a birthday? 'tis, alas! too clear; 'Tis but the funeral of the former year.— filed under Birthday
And each blasphemer quite escape the rod, Because the insult's not on man, but God?— filed under Blasphemy
Condition, circumstance, is not the thing; Bliss is the same in subject or in king.— filed under Bliss
Some place the bliss in action, some in ease, Those call it pleasure, and contentment these.— filed under Bliss
Learn of the little nautilus to sail, Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.— filed under Books
Horatius. 70. In adversity it is easy to despise life; the truly brave man is he who can endure to be miserable. e. MARTIAL. Bk. XI. Ep. LVI. Tis more brave To live, than to die. OWEN MEREDITH (Lord Lytton) Lucile. Pt. II. Canto VI. St. 11. Who combats bravely is not therefore brave: He dreads a death-bed like the meanest slave.— filed under Bravery
To all facts there are laws, The effect has its cause, and I mount to the cause. S. OWEN MEREDITH (Lord Lytton)- Lucile. Pt. II. Canto III. St. 8. Ask you what provocation I have had? The strong antipathy of good to bad.— filed under Cause
Progress, Feb. 17, 1861. Alas! in truth, the man but chang'd his mind, Perhaps was sick, in love, or had not dined.— filed under Change
Manners with Fortunes, Humours turn with Climes, Tenets with Books, and Principles with Times.— filed under Change
See dying vegetables life sustain, See life dissolving vegetate again; All forms that perish other forms supply; (By turns we catch the vital breath and die.) S.— filed under Change
Till Peter's keys some christen'd Jove adorn, And Pan to Moses lends his Pagan horn.— filed under Change
Lo: thy dread empire, Chaos, is restored; Light dies before thy uncreating word: Thy hand, great Anarch! lets the curtain fall; And universal darkness buries all.— filed under Chaos
Then rose the seed of Chaos, and of Night, To blot out order and extinguish light.— filed under Chaos
Napoleon I. Historical. Beauty that shocks you, parts that none will trust, Wit that can creep, and pride that licks the dust.— filed under Character
Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.— filed under Character
Fine by defect and delicately weak.— filed under Character
From loveless youth to unrespected age, No passion gratified, except her rage, So much the fury still outran the wit, That pleasure miss'd her, and the scandal hit. S.— filed under Character
Good-humor only teaches charms to last, Still makes new conquests and maintains the past.— filed under Character
Works of Voiture. Heav'n forming each on other to depend, A master, or a servant, or a friend, Bids each on other for assistance call, Till one man's weakness grows the strength of all.— filed under Character
In men we various ruling passions find; In women two almost divide the kind; Those only fixed, they first or last obey, The love of pleasure, and the love of sway.— filed under Character
'Tis from high Life high Characters are drawn; A Saint in Crape is twice a Saint in Lawn: A Judge is just, a Chanc'llor juster still; A Gownman learn'd; a Bishop what you will; Wise if a minister; but if a King, More wise, more learn'd, more just, more ev'rything.— filed under Character
What then remains, but well our power to use, And keep good-humor still whate'er we lose? And trust me, dear, good-humor can prevail, When airs, and flights, and screams, and scolding fail.— filed under Character
Who ne'er knew joy but friendship might divide, Or gave his father grief but when he died.— filed under Character
With too much Quickness ever to be taught; With too much Thinking to have common Thought.— filed under Character
In Faith and Hope the world will disagree, But all mankind's concern is charity.— filed under Charity
Proud Nimrod first the bloody chase began, A mighty hunter, and his prey was man.— filed under Chastity
Together let us beat this ample field, Try what the open, what the covert yield.— filed under Chastity
Behold the child, by Nature's kindly law, Pleas'd with a rattle, tickled with a straw.— filed under Childhood
Yet still a sad, good Christian at the heart.— filed under Christian
of the Popes. No silver saints, by dying misers giv'n, Here brib'd the rage of ill-requited heav'n: But such plain roofs as Piety could raise, And only vocal with the Maker's praise.— filed under Churches
Who builds a church to God, and not to Fame, Will never mark the marble with his Name.— filed under Churches
As the small pebble stirs the peaceful lake; The centre mov'd, a circle straight succeeds, Another still, and still another spreads.— filed under Circles
Condition, circumstance is not the thing.— filed under Circumstance
See the wild Waste of all-devouring years! How Rome her own sad Sepulchre appears, With nodding arches, broken temples spread! The very Tombs now vanish'd like their dead!— filed under Cities-Venice
Choose a firm cloud before it fall, and in it Catch, ere she change, the Cynthia of this minute.— filed under Clouds
Say, shall my little bark attendant sail, Pursue the triumph, and partake the gale?— filed under Companionship
We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow; Our wiser sons, no doubt, will think us so.— filed under Confession
Riley's trans. Let Joy or Ease, let Affluence or Content, And the gay Conscience of a life well spent, Calm ev'ry thought, inspirit ev'ry grace, Glow in thy heart, and smile upon thy face.— filed under Conscience
One self-approving hour whole years outweighs Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas.— filed under Conscience
Some scruple rose, but thus he eas'd his thought, "I'll now give sixpence where I gave a groat; Where once I went to church, I'll now go twice- And am so clear too of all other vice." C.— filed under Conscience
True, conscious Honour is to feel no sin, He's arm'd without that's innocent within; Be this thy screen, and this thy wall of Brass.— filed under Conscience
What Conscience dictates to be done, Or warns me not to do; This teach me more than Hell to shun, That more than Heav'n pursue.— filed under Conscience
And empty heads console with empty sound.— filed under Consolation
Grown all to all, from no one vice exempt, And most contemptible to shun contempt.— filed under Content
Whate'er the passion, knowledge, fame, or pelf, Not one will change his neighbor with himself.— filed under Content
Form'd by thy converse, happily to steer From grave to gay, from lively to severe. C.— filed under Conversation
At length corruption, like a general flood (So long by watchful ministers withstood), Shall deluge all; and avarice, creeping on, Spread like a low-born mist, and blot the sun.— filed under Corruption
Blest paper credit! last and best supply ! That lends corruption lighter wings to fly. U,— filed under Corruption
Oh, when shall Britain, conscious of her claim, Stand emulous of Greek and Roman fame? In living medals see her wars enroll'd, And vanquished realms supply recording gold?— filed under Countries-America
Who dare to love their country, and be poor.— filed under Country, Love Of
All are but parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.— filed under Alphonso The Wise
Blest paper-credit! last and best supply! That lends corruption lighter wings to fly.— filed under Credit
Ah, ne'er so dire a thirst of glory boast, Nor in the Critic let the Man be lost.— filed under Criticism
And you, my Critics! in the chequer'd shade, Admire new light thro' holes yourselves have made.— filed under Criticism
A perfect Judge will read each work of Wit With the same spirit that its author writ: Survey the Whole, nor seek slight faults to find Where nature moves, and rapture warms the mind.— filed under Criticism
Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.— filed under Criticism
But you with pleasure own your errors past, And make each day a critic on the last.— filed under Criticism
I lose my patience, and I own it too, When works are censur'd, not as bad but new; While if our Elders break all reason's laws, These fools demand not pardon but Applause.— filed under Criticism
In every work regard the writer's End, Since none can compass more than they intend; And if the means be just, the conduct true, Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due.— filed under Criticism
Ten censure wrong for one who writes amiss.— filed under Criticism
The generous Critic fann'd the Poet's fire, And taught the world with reason to admire.— filed under Criticism
The line too labours, and the words moveslow. S.— filed under Criticism
Oh! if to dance all night, and dress all day, Charm'd the small-pox, or chas'd old age away; * * * * * * To patch, nay ogle, might become a saint, Nor could it sure be such a sin to paint.— filed under Dancing
Others import yet nobler arts from France, Teach kings to fiddle, and make senates dance.— filed under Dancing
A heap of dust alone remains of thee; 'Tis all thou art, and all the proud shall be!— filed under Death
But thousands die without or this or that, Die, and endow a college or a cat.— filed under Death
By foreign hands thy dying eyes were clos'd, By foreign hands thy decent limbs compos'd, By foreign hands thy humble grave adorn'd, By strangers honour'd, and by strangers mourn'd.— filed under Death
O Death, all eloquent! you only prove What dust we dote on, when 'tis man we love.— filed under Death
See my lips tremble and my eyeballs roll, Suck my last breath, and catch my flying soul !— filed under Death
Tell me, my soul! can this be death?— filed under Death
Paraphrased from Hadrian. The world recedes; it disappears; Heav'n opens on my eyes; my ears With sounds seraphic ring : Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly! O Grave! where is thy victory? O Death! where is thy sting?— filed under Death
Paraphrased from Hadrian. Till tired, he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er.— filed under Death
Shut, shut the door, good John! fatigu'd I said; Tie up the knocker, say I'm sick, I'm dead.— filed under Deceit
Alive ridiculous, and dead forgot!— filed under Destiny
Virtue, I grant you, is an empty boast; But shall the dignity of vice be lost?— filed under Disappointment
As man, perhaps, the moment of his breath, Receives the lurking principle of death, The young disease, that must subdue at length, Grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength.— filed under Disease
But just disease to luxury succeeds, And ev'ry death its own avenger breeds.— filed under Disease
Round the Wine. "Get Money, money still! And then let virtue follow, if she will." This, this the saving doctrine preach'd to all, From low St. James' up to high St. Paul.— filed under Doctrine
Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, But looks through nature up to nature's God.— filed under Doctrine
Imagination of the Thoughts of the Heart. The doubtful beam long nods from side to side.— filed under Doubt
Yet eat in dreams, the custard of the day.— filed under Dreams
And solid pudding against empty praise.— filed under Eating
"An't it please your Honour," quoth the Peasant, "This same Dessert is not so pleasant: Give me again my hollow Tree, A crust of Bread, and Liberty."— filed under Eating
Last lines. "Live like yourself," was soon my lady's word, And lo! two puddings smok'd upon the board.— filed under Eating
One solid dish his week-day meal affords, An added pudding solemniz'd the Lord's.— filed under Eating
"Pray take them, Sir, - Enough's a Feast; Eat some, and pocket up the rest." S.— filed under Eating
And more than echoes talk along the walls.— filed under Echo
those that would be Rich. To balance Fortune by a just expense, Join with Economy, Magnificence.— filed under Economy
'Tis education forms the common mind; Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.— filed under Education
As on the smooth exp expanse of crystal lakes The sinking stone at first a circle makes; The trembling surface by the motion stirr'd, Spreads in a second circle, then a third; Wide, and more wide, the floating rings advance, Fill all the watery plain, and to the margin dance.— filed under Effects
What dire offence from amorous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.— filed under Effects
Pour the full tide of eloquence along, Serenely pure, and yet divinely strong.— filed under Eloquence
Or ask of yonder argent fields above Why Jove's satellites are less than Jove— filed under Bias
Whether with Reason, or with Instinct blest, Know, all enjoy that pow'r which suits them best.— filed under Enjoyment
Envy, to which th' ignoble mind's a slave, Is emulation in the learn'd or brave.— filed under Envy
Envy will merit as its shade pursue, But like a shadow proves the substance true.— filed under Envy
Calmly he looked on either Life, and here Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear: From Nature's temp'rate feast rose satisfy'd, Thank'd Heaven that he had lived, and that he died.— filed under Epitaph
Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night. God said "Let Newton be!" and all was light.— filed under Epitaph
Of Manners gentle, of Affections mild; In Wit a man; Simplicity, a child.— filed under Epitaph
To this sad shrine, whoe'er thou art! draw near! Here lies the friend most lov'd, the son most dear; Who ne'er knew joy but friendship might divide, Or gave his father grief but when he died.— filed under Epitaph
Under this marble, or under this sill, Or under this turf, or e'en what they will, Whatever an heir, or a friend in his stead, Or any good creature shall lay o'er my head, Lies one who ne'er car'd, and still cares not a pin What they said or may say of the mortal within; But who, living and dying, serene, still and free, Trusts in God that as well as he was he shall be.— filed under Epitaph
Epicurean. Some positive persisting fops we know, Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so; But you with pleasure own your errors past, And make each day a critique on the last.— filed under Eternity
Road. Like bubbles on the sea of matter borne, They rise, they break, and to that sea return.— filed under Expression
Avoid Extremes; and shun the fault of such Who still are pleas'd too little or too much.— filed under Extremes
Extremes in nature equal good produce; Extremes in man concur to general use.— filed under Extremes
Bright as the sun her eyes the gazers strike, And, like the sun, they shine on all alike.— filed under Eyes
Why has not man a microscopic eye? For this plain reason, Man is not a Fly. Say, what the use, were finer optics giv'n, T' inspect a mite, not comprehend the heav'n?— filed under Eyes
If to her share some female errors fall Look on her face, and you'll forget 'em all.— filed under Face
S. The dances ended, all the fairy train For pinks and daisies search'd the flow'ry plain.— filed under Fairies
For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight; His can't be wrong whose life is in the right.— filed under Faith
The enormous faith of many made for one.— filed under Faith
Above all Greek, above all Roman fame.— filed under Fame
All crowd, who foremost shall be damn'd to fame.— filed under Fame
And what is Fame? the Meanest have their Day, The Greatest can but blaze, and pass away.— filed under Fame
If parts allure thee, think how Bacon shin'd, The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind: Or, ravish'd with the whistling of a name, See Cromwell, damn'd to everlasting fame.— filed under Fame
Let humble Allen, with an awkward shame, Do good by stealth, and blush to find it Fame.— filed under Fame
Nor fame I slight, nor for her favors call; She comes unlooked for, if she comes at all.— filed under Fame
Unblemish'd let me live or die unknown; Oh, grant an honest fame, or grant me none!— filed under Fame
What's fame? a fancy'd life in others' breath. A thing beyond us, e'en before our death.— filed under Fame
The difference is as great between The optics seeing as the objects seen. All manners take a tincture from our own; Or come discolor'd through our passions shown; Or fancy's beam enlarges, multiplies, Contracts, inverts, and gives ten thousand dyes.— filed under Fancy
When at the close of each sad, sorrowing day, Fancy restores what vengeance snatch'd away. น.— filed under Fancy
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate.— filed under Fate
But blind to former as to future fate, What mortal knows his pre-existent state?— filed under Fate
Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate. Y.— filed under Fate
The glorious fault of angels and of gods.— filed under Faults
Then flash'd the living lightning from her eyes, And screams of horror rend th' affrighted skies, Not louder shrieks to pitying Heaven are cast, When husbands, or when lap dogs, breathe their last; Or when rich China vessels fallen, from high, In glittering dust and painted fragments lie.— filed under Fear
The feast of reason and the flow of soul.— filed under Festivities
Ladies, like variegated tulips, show 'Tis to their changes half their charms we owe.— filed under Fickleness
Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.— filed under Fire
Divert her eyes with pictures in the fire— filed under Fire
Our plenteous streams a various race supply, The bright-eyed perch with fins of Tyrian dye, The silver eel, in shining volumes roll'd, The yellow carp, in scales bedropp'd with gold, Swift trouts, diversified with crimson stains, And pikes, the tyrants of the wat'ry plains.— filed under Fish
'Tis true, no turbots dignify my boards, But gudgeons, flounders, what my Thames affords.— filed under Fish
By flatterers besieged And so obliging that he ne'er obliged; Like Cato, give his little senate laws, And sit attentive to his own applause.— filed under Flattery
Nay, tell me first, in what more happy fields, The Thistle springs, to which the Lily yields.— filed under Flirting
By the streams that ever flow, By the fragrant winds that blow O'er the Elysian flow'rs; By those happy souls who dwell In yellow mead of asphodel.— filed under Flowers-Azalea
Heath. Erica. E'en wild heath displays her purple dyes, And 'midst the desert fruitful fields arise.— filed under Flowers-Honeysuckle
Ode XLVIII. Bring, bring the madding Bay, the drunken vine; The creeping, dirty, courtly Ivy join.— filed under Flowers-Ivy
Round broken columns clasping ivy twin'd.— filed under Flowers-Ivy
Where round some mould'ring tow'r pale ivy creeps, And low-brow'd rocks hang nodding o'er the deeps.— filed under Flowers-Ivy
For her, the lilies hang their heads and die.— filed under Flowers-Lily
Die of a rose in aromatic pain.— filed under Flowers-Rose
Let opening roses knotted oaks adorn, And liquid amber drop from every thorn.— filed under Flowers-Rose
Like roses, that in deserts bloom and die.— filed under Flowers-Rose
Men of Gotham. Paper Money Lyrics. St. 1. Die and endow a college or a cat.— filed under Folly
Fire in each eye, and papers in each hand, They rave, recite, and madden round the land.— filed under Folly
For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.— filed under Folly
Just as a blockhead rubs his thoughtless skull, fool. And thanks his stars he was not born a— filed under Folly
Second Book of Horace. Ep. II. L. 326. No creature smarts so little as a fool. .— filed under Pope
So by false learning is good sense defac'd; Some are bewilder'd in the maze of schools, And some made coxcombs Nature meant but fools.— filed under Pope
The fool is happy that he knows no more.— filed under Pope
-The Dunciad. Bk. I. L. 136. Whether the charmer sinner it, or saint it, If folly grow romantic, I must paint it.— filed under Pope
Nature made every fop to plague his brother, Just as one beauty mortifies another.— filed under Forgetfulness
Good-nature and good-sense must ever join; To err is human, to forgive, divine.— filed under Fortune
Cowper's trans. Fortune in men has some small diffrence made, One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade; The cobbler apron'd, and the parson gown'd, The friar hooded, and the monarch crown'd.— filed under Fortune
Who thinks that fortune cannot change her mind, Prepares a dreadful jest for all mankind. And who stands safest? Tell me, is it he That spreads and swells in puff'd prosperity, Or bless'd with little, whose preventing care In peace provides fit arms against a war?— filed under Fortune
Unthought-of Frailties cheat us in the Wise.— filed under Freedom
Oh! let me live my own, and die so too! (To live and die is all I have to do:) Maintain a poet's dignity and ease, And see what friends, and read what books I please.— filed under Freedom
Ah, friend! to dazzle let the vain design; To raise the thought and touch the heart be thine.— filed under Friends
S. Be not the first by whom the new are tried; Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.— filed under Friends
Trust not yourself; but your defects to know. Make use of ev'ry friend-and ev'ry foe.— filed under Friends
"There is nothing that is meritorious but virtue and friendship; and indeed friendship itself is only a part of virtue."— filed under Friendship
Life of Pope. What ill-starr'd rage Divides a friendship long confirm'd by age?— filed under Friendship
In adamantine chains shall Death be bound, And Hell's grim tyrant feel th' eternal wound.— filed under Futurity
Oh, blindness to the future! kindly giv'n, That each may fill the circle mark'd by heaven. C.— filed under Futurity
How, sir! not damn the sharper, but the dice?— filed under Garden
Grove nods at grove, each alley has a brother, And half the platform just reflects the other. The suff'ring eye inverted nature sees, Trees cut in statues, statues thick as trees; With here a fountain never to be play'd, And there a summer-house that knows no shade.— filed under Garden
Who pants for glory, finds but short repose; A breath revives him, or a breath o'erthrows.— filed under Glory
He mounts the storm, and walks upon the wind.— filed under God
Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, But vindicate the ways of God to man.— filed under God
Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutored mind Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind.— filed under God
Thou Great First Cause, least understood.— filed under God
To Him no high, no low, no great, no small; He fills, He bounds, connects and equals all!— filed under God
Judges and senates have been bought for gold; Esteem and love were never to be sold.— filed under Gold
What nature wants, commodious gold bestows; 'Tis thus we cut the bread another sows.— filed under Gold
Chamber of Commerce, Nov. 19, 1889. The government will take the fairest of names, but the worst of realities-mob rule. u. POLYBIUS. VI. 57. The right divine of kings to govern wrong.— filed under Government
From vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, And snatch a grace beyond the reach of art.— filed under Gratitude
Th' unwilling gratitude of base mankind!— filed under Gratitude
The grave unites; where e'en the great find rest, And blended lie th' oppressor and th' oppressed!— filed under Gratitude
Yet shall thy grave with rising flow'rs be dressed, And the green turf lie lightly on thy breast; There shall the morn her earliest tears bestow, There the first roses of the year shall blow.— filed under Gratitude
Grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength.— filed under Guests
'Tis thus the mercury of man is fix'd, Strong grows the virtue with his nature mix'd.— filed under Guests
For I, who holds sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.— filed under Guests
How glowing guilt exalts the keen delight!— filed under Hair
The Golden Legend. Pt. IV. L. 388. Fair tresses man's imperial race insnare, And beauty draws us with a single hair.— filed under Hair
Then cease, bright nymph! to mourn thy ravish'd hair Which adds new glory to the shining sphere; Not all the tresses that fair head can boast Shall draw such envy as the lock you lost, For after all the murders of your eye, When, after millions slain, yourself shall die; When those fair suns shall set, as set they must, And all those tresses shall be laid in dust, This Lock the Muse shall consecrate to fame, And 'midst the stars inscribe Belinda's name.— filed under Hair
Of the Love of Wealth. Fix'd to no spot is Happiness sincere; 'Tis nowhere to be found, or ev'rywhere; 'Tis never to be bought, but always free.— filed under Happiness
Heaven to mankind impartial we confess, If all are equal in their happiness; But mutual wants this happiness increase, All nature's difference keeps all nature's peace.— filed under Happiness
To happy convents, bosom'd deep in vines, Where slumber abbots purple as their wines.— filed under Happiness
Ye gods, annihilate but space and time, And make two lovers happy.— filed under Happiness
Haste is of the Devil. The Koran. Stay awhile that we may make an end the sooner. n. Attributed to SIR AMICE PAWLET by BACON. Apothegms. No. 76. On wings of winds came flying all abroad.— filed under Haste
Health consists with Temperance alone.— filed under Hearing
To rest, the cushion and soft dean invite, Who never mentions hell to ears polite.— filed under Help
Truths would you teach, or save a sinking land? All fear, none aid you, and few understand.— filed under Help
An honest man's the noblest work of God.— filed under Honesty
Honour and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honour lies.— filed under Honor
Hope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never is, but always to be blest.— filed under Hope
Hope travels through, nor quits us when we die.— filed under Hope
Third Angel's Story. St. 11. I was not born for Courts or great affairs; pay my debts, believe, and say my pray'rs. S.— filed under Humor
The stoic husband was the glorious thing. The man had courage, was a sage, 'tis true, And lov'd his country.— filed under Husband
Well, if our author in the wife offends He has a husband that will make amends; He draws him gentle, tender, and forgiving, And sure such kind good creatures may be living.— filed under Husband
Constant at Church and 'Change; his gains were sure; His givings rare, save farthings to the poor.— filed under Hypocrisy
Johnson. Dec. 8, 1763. Thee too, my Paridel! she mark'd thee there, Stretch'd on the rack of a too easy chair, And heard thy everlasting yawn confess The Pains and Penalties of Idleness.— filed under Idleness
And still care not a pin What they said, or may say.— filed under Indifference
No life Can be pure in its purpose or strong in its strife And all life not be purer and stronger thereby. OWEN MEREDITH (Lord Lytton)- Lucile. Pt. II. Canto VI. St. 40. friend . Thou wert my guide, philosopher, and— filed under Influence
Oh, keep me innocent, make others great! Written on a window by CAROLINE MATILDA, Queen of Denmark. He's armed without that's innocent within.— filed under Innocence
The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine! Feels at each thread, and lives along the line.— filed under Instruction
Subjects. Education. Men must be taught as if you taught them not, And things unknown propos'd as things forgot.— filed under Instruction
To dazzle let the vain design, To raise the thought and touch the heart, be thine!— filed under Instruction
But honest instinct comes a volunteer; Sure never to o'er-shoot, but just to hit, While still too wide or short in human wit.— filed under Instinct
How instinct varies in the grov'lling swine, Compar'd, half-reasoning elephant, with thine! 'Twixt that and reason what a nice barrier! Forever sep'rate, yet forever near!— filed under Instinct
Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.— filed under Jealousy
The hungry judges soon the sentence sign, And wretches hang that jurymen may dine.— filed under Judges
'Tis with our judgments as our watches, none Go just alike, yet each believes his own.— filed under Judgment
In vain sedate reflections we would make When half our knowledge we must snatch, not take.— filed under Knowledge
That virtue only makes our bliss below, And all our knowledge is ourselves to know.— filed under Knowledge
Laugh at your friends, and if your friends are sore So much the better, you may laugh the more.— filed under Laughter
The man that loves and laughs must sure do well.— filed under Laughter
Gentleman in Naples named Alcius. A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; Their shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.— filed under Learning
Ask of the Learn'd the way? The Learn'd are blind; This bids to serve, and that to shun mankind; Some place the bliss in action, some in ease, Those call it Pleasure, and Contentment these.— filed under Learning
Learn from the birds what food the thickets yield; Learn from the beasts the physic of the field; The arts of building from the bee receive; Learn of the mole to plough, the worm to weave.— filed under Leisure
C. It is better to believe that a man does possess good qualities than to assert that he does not. Chinese Moral Maxims. Compiled by John Francis Davis, F. R. S. China, 1823. To hide the fault I see: That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me.— filed under Liberality
Give me again my hollow tree A crust of bread, and liberty!— filed under Liberty
not Live Alway. A mighty maze, but not without a plan.— filed under Life
Fix'd like a plant on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate and rot.— filed under Life
For forms of government let fools contest; Whate'er is best administer'd is best; For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight; His can't be wrong whose life is in the right.— filed under Life
Learn to live well, or fairly make your will; You've play'd, and lov'd, and ate, and drank your fill: Walk sober off, before a sprightlier age Comes titt'ring on, and shoves you from the stage.— filed under Life
Life can little more supply, Then just to look about us and to die.— filed under Life
Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.— filed under Life
On life's vast ocean diversely we sail, Reason the card, but passion is the gale.— filed under Life
See how the World its Veterans rewards! A Youth of Frolics, an old Age of Cards; Fair to no purpose, artful to no end, Young without Lovers, old without a Friend; A Fop their Passion, but their Prize a Sot; Alive ridiculous, and dead forgot.— filed under Life
She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea, To muse, and spill her solitary tea, Or o'er cold coffee trifle with the spoon, Count the slow clock, and dine exact at noon.— filed under Life
To be, contents his natural desire, He asks no angel's wing, no seraph's fire; But thinks, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog shall bear him company.— filed under Life
Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, "Let Newton be!" and all was light. S.— filed under Light
Ah! what avails it me the flocks to keep, Who lost my heart while I preserv'd my sheep.— filed under Love
Is it, in Heav'n, a crime to love too well? To bear too tender or too firm a heart, To act a lover's or a Roman's part? Is there no bright reversion in the sky For those who greatly think, or bravely die?— filed under Love
Love, free as air, at sight of human ties, Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies.— filed under Love
Of all affliction taught a lover yet, 'Tis sure the hardest science to forget.— filed under Love
O Love! for Sylvia let me gain the prize, And make my tongue victorious as her eyes.— filed under Love
One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight; Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.— filed under Love
Who sees pale Mammon pine amidst his store, Sees but a backward steward for the poor.— filed under Mammon
The Phædrus. A minister, but still a man.— filed under Man
An honest man's the noblest work of God.— filed under Man
Chaos of thought and passion, all confused; Still by himself abused and disabused; Created half to rise, and half to fall; Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled; The glory, jest and riddle of the world!— filed under Man
Let us (since life can little more supply Than just to look about us and to die) Expatiate free o'er all this scene of man; A mighty maze! but not without a plan.— filed under Man
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man.— filed under Man
So man, who here seems principal alone, Perhaps acts second to some sphere unknown, Touches some wheel, or verges to some goal; '"Tis but a part we see, and not a whole.— filed under Man
Virtuous and vicious every man must be, Few in the extreme, but all in the degree.— filed under Man
Why has not man a microscopic eye? For this plain reason, man is not a fly.— filed under Man
Beauty. Eye nature's walks, shoot folly as it flies, And catch the manners, living as they rise; Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, But vindicate the ways of God to man.— filed under Martyrdom
Manners with fortunes, humors turn with climes, Tenets with books, and principles with times. и.— filed under Martyrdom
Grave authors say, and witty poets sing, That honest wedlock is a glorious thing.— filed under Matrimony
The garlands fade, the vows are worn away; So dies her love, and so my hopes decay.— filed under Matrimony
There swims no goose so gray, but soon or late She finds some honest gander for her mate.— filed under Matrimony
Love, Hope, and Joy, fair pleasure's smiling train, Hate, Fear, and Grief, the family of pain, These mix'd with art, and to due bounds confin'd Make and maintain the balance of the mind.— filed under Mind
Strength of mind is exercise, not rest. C.— filed under Mind
When to mischief mortals bend their will, How soon they find fit instruments of ill.— filed under Mischief
'Tis strange the miser should his cares employ To gain those riches he can ne'er enjoy; Is it less strange the prodigal should waste His wealth to purchase what he ne'er can taste?— filed under Misers
And bear about the mockery of woe To midnight dances and the public show.— filed under Misery
I never knew any man in my life, who could not bear another's misfortunes perfectly like a Christian.— filed under Misfortune
Various Subjects. Sometimes virtue starves, while vice is fed.— filed under Misfortune
He knows to live who keeps the middle state, And neither leans on this side nor on that.— filed under Moderation
Trade it may help, society extend, But lures the Pirate, and corrupts the friend : It raises armies in a nation's aid, But bribes a senate, and the land's betray'd.— filed under Money
A Christmas Carol. In cold December fragrant chaplets blow, And heavy harvests nod beneath the snow.— filed under Monuments
Where London's column, pointing at the skies, Like a tall bully, lifts the head and lies.— filed under Monuments
Pope's trans. Hills peep o'er hills, and Alps on Alps arise.— filed under Mountains
As some to Church repair, Not for the doctrine, but the music there. S.— filed under Music
By music minds an equal temper know, Nor swell too high, nor sink too low. * * * * * * Warriors she fires with animated sounds, Pours balm into the bleeding lover's wounds.— filed under Music
Hark! the numbers soft and clear, Gently steal upon the ear; Now louder, and yet louder rise And fill with spreading sounds the skies.— filed under Music
In a sadly pleasing strain Let the warbling lute complain.— filed under Music
Light quirks of music, broken and uneven, Make the soul dance upon a jig to Heav'n.— filed under Music
Music resembles poetry: in each Are nameless graces which no methods teach, And which a master-hand alone can reach.— filed under Music
What woful stuff this madrigal would be In some starv'd hackney sonnetteer, or me! But let a Lord once own the happy lines, How the wit brightens! how the style refines!— filed under Music
Cophetua and the Beggar-Maid. O name forever sad! forever dear! Still breath'd in sighs, still usher'd with a tear.— filed under Name
All are but parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul; That chang'd thro' all, and yet in all the same, Great in the earth as in th' ethereal frame; Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze, Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees; Lives thro' all life, extends thro' all extent, Spreads undivided, operates unspent; Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part, As full, as perfect, in a hair as heart.— filed under Nature
All Nature is but art unknown to thee; All chance direction, which thou canst not see.— filed under Nature
Eye Nature's walks, shoot folly as it flies, And catch the manners living as they rise.— filed under Nature
Seas roll to waft me, suns to light me rise; My footstool Earth, my canopy the skies.— filed under Nature
See plastic Nature working to this end, The single atoms each to other tend, Attract, attracted to, the next in place Form'd and impell'd its neighbor to embrace.— filed under Nature
Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, But looks through Nature up to Nature's God.— filed under Nature
Nov. 18, 1783. Obliged by hunger and request of friends.— filed under Necessity
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! happy The world forgetting, by the world forgot.— filed under Obscurity
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown, Thus unlamented let me die; Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie.— filed under Obscurity
A long, exact, and serious comedy; In every scene some moral let it teach, And, if it can, at once both please and preach.— filed under Occupations-Acting
There still remains to mortify a wit The many-headed monster of the pit.— filed under Occupations-Acting
To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue bold, Live o'er each scene, and be what they behold- For this the tragic Muse first trod the stage.— filed under Occupations-Acting
Your scene precariously subsists too long On French translation and Italian song. Dare to have sense yourselves; assert the stage; Be justly warm'd with your own native rage.— filed under Occupations-Acting
Here Ceres' gifts in waving prospect stand, And nodding tempt the joyful reaper's hand.— filed under Occupations-Agriculture
Our rural ancestors, with little blest, Patient of labour when the end was rest, Indulg'd the day that hous'd their annual grain, With feasts, and off rings, and a thankfulstrain.— filed under Occupations-Agriculture
When weary reapers quit the sultry field, And, crown'd with corn, their thanks to Ceres yield.— filed under Occupations-Agriculture
Where grows?-where grows it not? If vain our toil, We ought to blame the culture, not the soil.— filed under Occupations-Agriculture
The starving chemist in his golden views Supremely blest.— filed under Occupations-Alchemy
Authors are partial to their wit, 'tis true, But are not critics to their judgment too?— filed under Occupations-Authorship
E'en copious Dryden wanted, or forgot, The last and greatest art the art to blot.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
In every work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
'Tis hard to say if greater want of skill Appear in writing or in judging ill; But, of the two less dang'rous is th' offence To tire our patience than mislead our sense.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
Whether the darken'd room to muse invite, Or whiten'd wall provoke the skew'r to write; In durance, exile, Bedlam, or the Mint, Like Lee or Budgel I will rhyme and print.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
Why did I write? what sin to me unknown Dipt me in ink, my parents', or my own? As yet a child, nor yet a fool to fame, I lisp'd in numbers, for the numbers came.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
OCCUPATIONS-AUTHORSHIP. 429 With him most authors steal their works, or buy; Garth did not write his own Dispensary.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
Sure if they cannot cut, it may be said His saws are toothless, and his hatchets lead.— filed under Occupations-Cabinet-Making
In the worst inn's worst room, with mat half hung.— filed under Occupations-Hatters
were the Gems She Wore. On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore, Which Jews might kiss and Infidels adore.— filed under Occupations-Jeweler
Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. d. NAPOLEON I. The mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease.— filed under Occupations-Journalism
Where law ends, there tyranny begins. WILLIAM PITT (Earl of Chatham)- Case of Wilkes. Speech. Jan. 9, 1770. Last line. Alas! the small discredit of a bribe Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.— filed under Occupations-Law
All, all look up with reverential awe, At crimes that 'scape, or triumph o'er the law.— filed under Occupations-Law
Curse on all laws but those which love has made.— filed under Occupations-Law
Once (says an Author; where, I need not say) Two Trav'lers found an Oyster in their way; Both fierce, both hungry; the dispute grew strong, While Scale in hand Dame Justice pass'd along. Before her each with clamour pleads the Laws. Explain'd the matter, and would win the cause, Dame Justice weighing long the doubtful Right, Takes, opens, swallows it, before their sight. The cause of strife remov'd so rarely well, "There take" (says Justice), "take ye each a shell. We thrive at Westminster on Fools like you: 'Twas a fat oyster-live in peace-Adieu."— filed under Occupations-Law
Piecemeal they win this acre first, then that, Glean on, and gather up the whole estate.— filed under Occupations-Law
Banished the doctor, and expell'd the friend.— filed under Ovid
Learn from the beasts the physic of the field.— filed under Ovid
So modern 'pothecaries, taught the art By doctor's bills to play the doctor's part, Bold in the practice of mistaken rules, Prescribe, apply, and call their masters fools.— filed under Ovid
Letter VI. Heav'n first taught letters for some wretch's aid, Some banish'd lover, or some captive maid.— filed under Occupations-Post
Line after line my gushing eyes o'erflow, Led thro' a sad variety of woe: Now warm in love, now with'ring in my bloom, Lost in a convent's solitary gloom!— filed under Occupations-Post
Soon as thy letters trembling I unclose, That well-known name awakens all my woes.— filed under Occupations-Post
Who would not praise Patricio's high desert, His hand unstain'd, his uncorrupted heart, His comprehensive head? all interests weigh'd, All Europe sav'd, yet Britain not betray'd.— filed under Occupations-Shoemaking
Statesman, yet friend to truth; of soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honour clear; Who broke no promise, serv'd no private end, Who gain'd no title, and who lost no friend; Ennobled by himself, by all approv'd, And prais'd, unenvy'd, by the Muse he lov'd.— filed under Occupations-Shoemaking
Th' embroider'd suit at least he deem'd his prey; That suit an unpaid tailor snatch'd away.— filed under Occupations-Tailoring
Just where the breath of life his nostrils drew, A charge of snuff the wily virgin threw; The gnomes direct, to every atom just, The pungent grains of titillating dust, Sudden, with starting tears each eye o'erflows, And the high dome re-echoes to his nose.— filed under Occupations-Tobacconists
Sir Plume, of amber snuff-box justly vain, And the nice conduct of a clouded cane.— filed under Occupations-Tobacconists
Some praise at morning what they blame at night, But always think the last opinion right.— filed under Opinion
Mark what unvary'd laws preserve each state, Laws wise as Nature, and as fixed as Fate.— filed under Order
Not chaos-like together crush'd and bruis'd, But, as the world, harmoniously confused: Where order in variety we see, And where, tho' all things differ, all agree.— filed under Order
Order is Heaven's first law; and this confest, Some are and must be greater than the rest.— filed under Order
Job III. V. 24. There is purpose in pain, Otherwise it were devilish. OWEN MEREDITH (Lord Lytton)- Lucile. Pt. II. Canto V. St. 8. You purchase pain with all that joy can give, And die of nothing but a rage to live.— filed under Pain
And you, brave Cobham! to the latest breath Shall feel your ruling passion strong in death.— filed under Passion
In men, we various ruling passions find; In women two almost divide the kind; Those only fix'd, they first or last obey, The love of pleasure, and the love of sway.— filed under Passion
Search then the ruling passion; there alone, The wild are constant, and the cunning known; The fool consistent, and the false sincere; Priests, princes, women, no dissemblers here. S.— filed under Passion
The ruling passion, be it what it will, The ruling passion conquers reason still.— filed under Passion
Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be.— filed under Perfection
Next o'er his books his eyes began to roll, In pleasing memory of all he stole; How here he sipp'd, how there he plunder'd snug, And suck'd all o'er like an industrious bug.— filed under Plagiarism
Pleas'd to the last he crops the flowery food, And licks the hand just rais'd to shed his blood.— filed under Pleasure
Pleasures are ever in our hands or eyes; And when in act they cease, in prospect rise. S.— filed under Pleasure
Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, Lie in three words, -health, peace, and competence.— filed under Pleasure
A needless Alexandrine ends the song, That, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along.— filed under Poetry
Curst be the verse, how well soe'er it flow, That tends to make one worthy man my foe, Give virtue scandal, innocence a fear, Or from the soft-eyed virgin steal a tear!— filed under Poetry
The varying verse, the full resounding line, The long majestic march, and energy divine.— filed under Poetry
What woful stuff this madrigal would be, In some starv'd hackney sonneteer or me! But let a lord once own the happy lines, How the wit brightens! how the style refines. S.— filed under Poetry
And he whose fustian's so sublimely bad, It is not poetry, but prose run mad.— filed under Poets
Dulness! whose good old cause I yet defend, With whom my muse began, with whom shall end.— filed under Poets
Poets like painters, thus unskill'd to trace The naked nature and the living grace, With gold and jewels cover every part, And hide with ornaments their want of art.— filed under Poets
The bard whom pilfer'd pastorals renown, Who turns a Persian tale for half a crown, Just writes to make his barrenness appear, And strains from hard-bound brains eight lines a year.— filed under Poets
Then from the Mint walks forth the man of rhyme, Happy to catch me, just at dinner-time.— filed under Poets
Vain was the chief's, the sage's pride! They had no poet, and they died.— filed under Poets
Ode 9. While pensive poets painful vigils keep, Sleepless themselves to give their readers sleep.— filed under Poets
Old politicians chew on wisdom past, And totter on in business to the last.— filed under Politics
But to the world no bugbear is so great, As want of figure and a small estate.— filed under Poverty
Where are those troops of poor, that throng'd of yore The good old landlord's hospitable door?— filed under Poverty
And deal damnation round the land.— filed under Power
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And without sneering, teach the rest to sneer.— filed under Praise
Solid pudding against empty praise. S.— filed under Praise
To what base ends, and by what abject ways, Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!— filed under Praise
Father of All! in every age, In every clime ador'd, By saint, by savage, and by sage, Jehovah, Jove, or Lord!— filed under Prayer
If I am right, Thy grace impart, Still in the right to stay; If I am wrong, O teach my heart To find that better way!— filed under Prayer
In pride, in reas'ning pride, our error lies; rush into the skies . All quit their sphere and rush into the skies. bless'd abodes, Pride still is aiming at the bless'd abodes, would be . Ep. I. L. 124 Men would be angels, angels would be gods. gods. .— filed under Pride
Thus unlamented pass the proud away, of a day; The gaze of fools and pageant of a day ne'er So perish all, whose breast ne'er learn'd to learn'd to glow For others' good, or melt at others' woe.— filed under Pride
. What the weak head with strongest bias rules, of fools. Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.— filed under Pride
So obliging that he ne'er oblig'd.— filed under Iii
All Nature is but art unknown to thee; All chance direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood; All partial evil, universal good; And spite of pride, in erring reason's spite, One truth is clear, Whatever is is right.— filed under Providence
But vindicate the ways of God to man.— filed under Providence
Destroy all creatures for thy sport or gust, Yet cry, if man's unhappy, God's unjust.— filed under Providence
Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze. Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees.— filed under Providence
Who finds not Providence all good and wise, Alike in what it gives, and what denies.— filed under Providence
Who sees with equal eye, as God of all, A hero perish, or a sparrow fall, Atoms or systems into ruin hurl'd, And now a bubble burst, and now a world.— filed under Providence
But if the first Eve Hard doom did receive When only one apple had she, What a punishment new Must be found out for you, Who eating hath robb'd the whole tree.— filed under Quackery
Fine by defect, and delicately weak.— filed under Quality
Nor suffers Horace more in wrong translations By wits, than critics in as wrong quotations.— filed under Rain
Reason, however able, cool at best, Cares not for service, or but serves when prest, Stays till we call, and then not often near.— filed under Reason
Say first, of God above or man below, What can we reason but from what we know?— filed under Reason
There St. John mingles with my friendly bowl The Feast of reason and the flow of soul.— filed under Reason
Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise; His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies.— filed under Reason
Subjects. Sea Studies. The learn'd reflect on what before they knew.— filed under Reflection
1859. We have a Calvinistic creed, a Popish liturgy, and an Arminian clergy. WILLIAM PITT (Earl of Chatham)-See Prior's Life of Burke. Ch. X. 1790. For virtue's self may too much zeal be had; The worst of madmen is a saint run mad.— filed under Religion
Religion, blushing, veils her sacred fires, And unawares Morality expires.— filed under Religion
So upright Quakers please both man and God.— filed under Religion
Fear not the anger of the wise to raise; Those best can bear reproof who merit praise.— filed under Reproof
In various talk th' instructive hours they past, Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last; One speaks the glory of the British queen, And one describes a charming Indian screen; A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes; At every word a reputation dies.— filed under Reputation
What dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.— filed under Results
Now scantier limits the proud arch confine, And scarce are seen the prostrate Nile or Rhine; A small Euphrates thro' the piece is roll'd, And little eagles wave their wings in gold.— filed under Rights
Cam. Where stray ye, Muses! in what lawn or grove, In those fair fields where sacred Isis glides, Or else where Cam his winding vales divides?— filed under Rivers-Afton
E'en Sunday shines no Sabbath day to me.— filed under Sabbath
See Christians, Jews, one heavy sabbath keep, And all the western world believe and sleep. C.— filed under Sabbath
The flying rumours gather'd as they roll'd, Scarce any tale was sooner heard than told; And all who told it added something new, And all who heard it made enlargements too.— filed under Rumor
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And without sneering, teach the rest to sneer; Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike, Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike; Alike reserv'd to blame, or to commend, A tim'rous foe, and a suspicious friend.— filed under Scandal
Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel? Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel? S.— filed under Scandal
Satire's my weapon, but I'm too discreet To run amuck and tilt at all I meet.— filed under Scandal
There are, to whom my satire seems too bold; Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough, And something said of Chartres much too rough.— filed under Scandal
trans. Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise.— filed under Scandal
Education. Science. One science only will one genius fit, So vast is art, so narrow human wit.— filed under Science
Very hot and still the air was, Very smooth the gliding river, Motionless the sleeping shadows. LONGFELLOw-Hiawatha. Pt. XVIII. L. 54. But see, the shepherds shun the noonday heat, The lowing herds to murmuring brooks retreat, To closer shades the panting flocks remove; Ye gods! and is there no relief for love?— filed under Sows
SEASONS (THE)-AUTUMN. Thus sung the shepherds till th' approach of night, The skies yet blushing with departing light, When falling dews with spangles deck'd the glade, And the low sun had lengthened every shade.— filed under Sows
Ye flowers that drop, forsaken by the spring, Ye birds that, left by summer, cease to sing, Ye trees that fade, when Autumn heats remove, Say, is not absence death to those who love?— filed under Sows
Where, twisted round the barren oak, The summer vine in beauty clung, And summer winds the stillness broke, The crystal icicle is hung. LONGFELLOw-Woods in Winter. St. 3. But see, Orion sheds unwholesome dews; Arise, the pines a noxious shade diffuse; Sharp Boreas blows, and nature feels decay, Time conquers all, and we must time obey.— filed under Sows
Porch. Next to last stanza. One self-approving hour whole years outweighs Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas.— filed under Self-Examination
To observations which ourselves we make, We grow more partial for th' observer's sake. C.— filed under Self-Love
Good sense, which only is the gift of Heaven, And though no science, fairly worth the seven.— filed under Sense
'Tis use alone that sanctifies expense And splendor borrows all her rays from sense.— filed under Sense
What thin partitions sense from thought divide.— filed under Sense
And the touch'd needle trembles to the pole.— filed under Sensibility
Shakspeare (whom you and every playhouse bill Style the divine! the matchless! what you will), For gain, not glory, wing'd his roving flight, And grew immortal in his own despite.— filed under Shakespeare
C. the Peri. L. 206. In Adam's fall- We sinned all. From the New England Primer. 1814. Young Timothy Learnt sin to fly. From the New England Primer. 1777. How shall I lose the sin yet keep the sense, And love th' offender, yet detest the offence?— filed under Sin
See sin in state, majestically drunk; Proud as a peeress, prouder as a punk.— filed under Sin
and the Poem. SKY (THE). But would you sing, and rival Orpheus' strain. The wond'ring forests soon should dance again; The moving mountains hear the powerful call. And headlong streams hang listening in their fall!— filed under Singers
Silence, ye wolves! while Ralph to Cynthia howls, And makes night hideous; -Answer him, ye owls!— filed under Singers
Shakspeare. From hyperborean skies, Embodied dark, what clouds of vandals rise.— filed under Singers
Eternal smiles his emptiness betray, As shallow streams run dimpling all the way.— filed under Smiles
Heav'n forming each on other to depend, A master, or a servant, or a friend, Bids each on other for assistance call, Till one man's weakness grows the strength of all.— filed under Society
Or looks on heav'n with more than mortal eyes, Bids his free soul expatiate in the skies, Amid her kindred stars familiar roam, Survey the region, and confess her home.— filed under Sorrow
The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home, Rests and expatiates in a life to come.— filed under Sorrow
Vital spark of heav'nly flame!— filed under Sorrow
The sound must seem an echo to the sense.— filed under Sound
Led by the light of the Mæonian star.— filed under Stars
Ye little stars, hide your diminish'd rays.— filed under Stars
Those oft are stratagems which errors seem, Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream.— filed under Strategy
Johnson. 1783. The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head.— filed under Stupidity
Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd, Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.— filed under Longinus
Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' learn'd, and make the learned smile.— filed under Longinus
Parliament. Jan. 15, 1855 Providence is always on the side of the last reserve. a. Attributed to NAPOLEON I. The race by vigour, not by vaunts, is won.— filed under Success
All seems infected that the infected spy, As all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye.— filed under Suspicion
Never elated while one man's oppress'd; Never dejected while another's blessed.— filed under Talk
Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And waft a sigh from Indus to the Pole.— filed under Talk
O! bless'd with temper, whose unclouded ray Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day.— filed under Temper
But Satan now is wiser than of yore, And tempts by making rich, not making poor. C.— filed under Temptation
Time conquers all, and we must time obey.— filed under Time
Years following years steal something ev'ry day. At last they steal us from ourselves away.— filed under Time
Then sing by turns, by turns the Muses sing; Now hawthorns blossom.— filed under Trees And Plants-Chestnut
A spring there is, whose silver waters show Clear as a glass the shining sands below: A flowering lotos spreads its arms above, Shades all the banks, and seems itself a grove.— filed under Trees And Plants-Linden
The great white pear-tree dropped with dew from leaves And blossom, under heavens of happy blue. JEAN INGELOw-Songs with Preludes. Wedlock. A pear-tree planted nigh: 'Twas charg'd with fruit that made a goodly show, And hung with dangling pears was every bough.— filed under Trees And Plants-Palm
1579. P. 81. At every trifle scorn to take offence; That always shows great pride or little sense.— filed under Trifles
Show. Farewell then, verse, and love, and ev'ry toy, The rhymes and rattles of the man or boy; What right, what true, what fit we justly call, Let this be all my care for this is all. C.— filed under Truth
'Tis not enough your counsel still be true; Blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do.— filed under Truth
When truth or virtue an affront endures, Th' affront is mine, my friend, and should be yours.— filed under Truth
C. *** th' approach of night The skies yet blushing with departing light, When falling dews with spangles deck'd the glade, And the low sun had lengthen'd ev'ry shade.— filed under Twilight
And not a vanity is given in vain.— filed under Vanity
Here files of pins extend their shining rows, Puffs, powders, patches, bibles, billet-doux.— filed under Variety
Not chaos-like together crush'd and bruis'd, But, as the world, harmoniously confused; Where order in variety we see, And where, though all things differ, all agree.— filed under Variety
The heart resolves this matter in a trice, 66 Men only feel the smart, but not the vice."— filed under Victory
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.— filed under Victory
Gen. Harrison after the Victory on Lake Erie. Sept. 10, 1813. But if We have such another victory, we are undone. Attributed to PYRRHUS by BACON- Apothegms. No. 193. We conquered France, but felt our captive's charms, Her arts victorious triumph'd o'er our arms.— filed under Victory
Calm, thinking villains, whom no faith could fix, Of crooked counsels and dark politics,— filed under Villainy
But sometimes virtue starves while vice is fed. What then? Is the reward of virtue bread?— filed under Virtue
Court-virtues bear, like gems, the highest My heart laments that virtue cannot live rate, Born where Heav'n's influence scarce can penetrate. In life's low vale, the soil the virtues like, They please as beauties, here as wonders strike.— filed under Virtue
Know then this truth (enough for man to know) "Virtue alone is happiness below. "— filed under Virtue
O let us still the secret joy partake, To follow virtue even for virtue's sake. C.— filed under Virtue
There is nothing that is meritorious but virtue and friendship; and indeed friendship itself is only a part of virtue.— filed under Virtue
Life of Pope. The soul's calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy, Is virtue's prize.— filed under Virtue
Virtue may choose the high or low degree, 'Tis just alike to virtue, and to me; Dwell in a monk, or light upon a king, She's still the same belov'd, contented thing.— filed under Virtue
Virtue she finds too painful an endeavour, Content to dwell in decencies forever.— filed under Virtue
Hence the fool's paradise, the statesman's scheme, The air-built castle, and the golden dream, The maid's romantic wish, the chemist's flame, And poet's vision of eternal fame.— filed under Voice
The people's voice is odd, It is, and it is not, the voice of God.— filed under Voice
She saw her sons with purple death expire, Her sacred domes involved in rolling fire, A dreadful series of intestine wars, Inglorious triumphs and dishonest scars.— filed under War
Canzone XXI. Heaven forming each on other to depend, A master, or a servant, or a friend, Bids each on other for assistance call, Till one man's weakness grows the strength of all.— filed under Weakness
Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace; If not, by any means get wealth and place.— filed under Wealth
What riches give us let us then inquire: Meat, fire, and clothes. What more? Meat, clothes, and fire. Is this too little? S.— filed under Wealth
Destroy his fib, or sophistry-in vain! The creature's at his dirty work again.— filed under Wickedness
All other goods by fortune's hand are given, A wife is the peculiar gift of heaven.— filed under Wife
But what so pure, which envious tongues will spare? Some wicked wits have libell'd all the fair. With matchless impudence they style a wife The dear-bought curse, and lawful plague of life; A bosom-serpent, a domestic evil, A night-invasion and a mid-day-devil. Let not the wife these sland'rous words regard. But curse the bones of ev'ry living bard.— filed under Wife
She who ne'er answers till a husband cools, Or, if she rules him, never shews she rules; Charms by accepting, by submitting sways, Yet has her humour most when she obeys.— filed under Wife
And binding nature fast in fate, Left free the human will.— filed under Wind
Tell (for you can) what is it to be wise? 'Tis but to know how little can be known, To see all other's faults, and feel our own.— filed under Wisdom
A wit with dunces, and a dunce with wits.— filed under Wit
For wit and judgment often are at strife, Though meant each other's aid, like man and wife.— filed under Wit
How the wit brightens! how the style refines !— filed under Wit
If faith itself has different dresses worn, What wonder modes in wit should take their turn?— filed under Wit
So modest plainness sets off sprightly wit, For works may have more wit than does 'em good, As bodies perish through excess of blood.— filed under Wit
True wit is nature to advantage dress'd, What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed.— filed under Wit
You beat your pate, and fancy wit will come; Knock as you please, there's nobody at home.— filed under Wit
Love. And mistress of herself, though china fall.— filed under Woman
Fine by defect, and delicately weak.— filed under Woman
Ladies, like variegated tulips, show 'Tis to their changes half their charms we owe.— filed under Woman
Men some to business, some to pleasure take; But every woman is at heart a rake; Men some to quiet, some to public strife; But every lady would be queen for life.— filed under Woman
Most women have no characters at all.— filed under Woman
O! bless'd with temper, whose unclouded ray Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day; She who can own a sister's charms, or hear Sighs for a daughter with unwounded ear; She who ne'er answers till a husband cools, Or, if she rules him, never shows she rules.— filed under Woman
Offend her, and she knows not to forgive; Oblige her, and she'll hate you while you live.— filed under Woman
Our grandsire, Adam, ere of Eve possesst, Alone, and e'en in Paradise unblest, With mournful looks the blissful scenes sur vey'd, And wander'd in the solitary shade. The Maker saw, took pity, and bestow'd Woman, the last, the best reserv'd of God.— filed under Woman
Woman's at best a contradiction still.— filed under Woman
Pretty! in amber to observe the forms Of hairs, or straws, or dirt, or grubs, or worms! The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare, But wonder how the devil they got there.— filed under Wooing
They dream in courtship, but in wedlock wake.— filed under Wooing
of Virgil. Words are like leaves; and where they most abound, Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found.— filed under Words
What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards? Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards. S.— filed under Worth
Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow. The rest is all but leather or prunello.— filed under Worth
We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow; Our wiser sons, no doubt, will think us so.— filed under Youth
When the brisk minor pants for twenty-one.— filed under Youth
of Khorassan. Zeal is very blind, or badly regulated, when it encroaches upon the rights of others. g. PASQUIER QUESNEL. For virtue's self may too much zeal be had : The worst of madmen is a saint run mad.— filed under Zeal
Poets heap virtues, painters gems, at will, And show their zeal, and hide their want of skill.— filed under Zeal
Zeal then, not charity, became the guide.— filed under Zeal
S. Oh! How I Love on a Fair Summer's Eve. And soften'd sounds along the waters die : Smooth flow the waves, the zephyrs gently play.— filed under Zephyrs
Lull'd by soft zephyrs thro' the broken pane. น.— filed under Zephyrs
Soft is the strain when zephyr gently blows.— filed under Zephyrs
Soft o'er the shrouds aerial whispers breathe, That seemed but zephyrs to the train beneath.— filed under Zephyrs
The balmy zephyrs, silent since her death, Lament the ceasing of a sweeter breath.— filed under Zephyrs