John Greenleaf Whittier Quotes

We lack but open eye and ear
To find the Orient's marvels here;
The still small voice in autumn's hush,
Yon maple wood the burning bush.

Alas for maiden, alas for Judge, For rich repiner and household drudge! God pity them both! and pity us all, Who vainly the dreams of youth recall; For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!"

Maud Muller, on a summer's day, Raked the meadows sweet with hay. Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth Of simple beauty and rustic health.

I know not where his islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond his love and care.

Better heresy of doctrine than heresy of heart.

Again the shadow moveth o'er
The dial-plate of time.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near,
A little gift from one held dear,
Best wishes for the coming year.

These make a merry christmas!

No longer forward or behind
I look in hope or fear,
But grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.

Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.

Life is ever lord of Death
And Love can never lose its own.

The tints of autumn...a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost.

Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country's flag," she said.

Success is failure turned inside out.

Yet sometimes glimpses on my sight,
Through present wrong the eternal right;
And, step by step, since time began,
I see the steady gain of man;

Behind the cloud the starlight lurks,
Through showers the sunbeams fall;
For God, who loveth all His works,
Has left His hope with all!