George Herbert Quotes

Man is no star, but a quick coal

Of mortal fire:
Who blows it not, nor doth control

A faint desire,

876. One houre's sleepe before midnight is worth three after.

Holiness on the head, Light and perfections on the breast, Harmonious bells below, raising the dead To lead them unto life and rest. 5 Thus are true Aarons dressed. Profaneness in my head, Defects and darkness in my breast, A noise of passions ringing me for dead Unto a place where is no rest. 10 Poor priest thus am I dressed. Only another head I have, another heart and breast, Another music, making live not dead, Without whom I could have no rest: 15 In him I am well dressed. Christ is my only head, My alone only heart and breast, My only music, striking me ev’n dead; That to the old man I may rest, 20 And be in him new dressed. So holy in my head, Perfect and light in my dear breast, My doctrine tuned by Christ (who is not dead, But lives in me while I do rest), 25 Come people; Aaron’s dressed.

Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,
A box where sweets compacted lie.

678. More have repented speech then silence.

He begins to die, that quits his desires.

Life is half spent before we know what it is.

940. The great would have none great, and the little all little.

170. Hell is full of good meanings and wishings.

286. Goe not for every griefe to the physitian, nor for every quarrell to the lawyer, nor for every thirst to the pot.

779. He that marries for wealth sells his liberty.

Folly growes without watering.

710. Three can hold their peace if two be away.

Light burdens, long borne, grow heavy.

611. Time is the rider that breakes youth.