John Godfrey Saxe Quotes

In vain I speak of urgent tasks;
In vain I scowl and pout;
A frown is no extinguisher — It does not put him out!

Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made.

I like the lad who, when his father thought
To clip his morning nap by hackneyed phrase
Of vagrant worm by early songster caught,
Cried, "Served him right! — it's not at all surprising;
The worm was punished, sir, for early rising!"

Young men! it 's a critical thing to go
Exactly right with a lady in tow;
But when you are in the proper track,
Just go ahead, and never look back!

The Poet's License! — 't is the right, Within the rule of duty, To look on all delightful things Throughout the world of beauty. <p> To gaze with rapture at the stars That in the skies are glowing; To see the gems of perfect dye That in the woods are growing, — And more than sage astronomer, And more than learned florist, To read the glorious homilies Of Firmament and Forest.

What Lowely meant she didn't know
For she always avoided "everything low,"

I'm growing fonder of my staff;
I'm growing dimmer in the eyes;
I'm growing fainter in my laugh;
I'm growing deeper in my sighs;
I'm growing careless of my dress;
I'm growing frugal of my gold;
I'm growing wise; I'm growing — yes, — I'm growing old!

I love vast libraries; yet there is a doubt,
If one be better with them or without,
Unless he use them wisely, and, indeed,
Knows the high art of what and how to read.

INGLORIOUS friend! most confident I am
Thy life is one of very little ease;
Albeit men mock thee with their similes
And prate of being "happy as a clam!"

A youth would marry a maiden, For fair and fond was she; But their sires disputed about the Mass, And so it might not be.

'T is wise to learn; 't is God-like to create.

At Learning's fountain it is sweet to drink,
But 'tis a nobler privilege to think.

Tis well to borrow from the good and the great; 'Tis wise to learn: 'tis God-like to create!

Bless me! this is pleasant
Riding on the Rail.

"Once more, my gallant boys!" he cried:
"Three times! — you know the fable, — (I'll make it thirty," muttered he, "But I will lay the cable!")