William Cowper Quotes

Forced from home and all its pleasures Afric's coast I left forlorn, To increase a stranger's treasures O'er the raging billows borne. Men from England bought and sold me, Paid my price in paltry gold; But, though slave they have enrolled me, Minds are never to be sold.

I would not enter on my list of friends, (Though graced with polish'd manners and fine sense, Yet wanting sensibility) the man Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm. An inadvertent step may crush the snail That crawls at evening in the public path; But he that has humanity, forewarn'd, Will tread aside, and let the reptile live.

But many a crime deem'd innocent on earth Is register'd in Heaven; and these no doubt Have each their record, with a curse annex'd.
Man may dismiss compassion from his heart,
But God will never.

Not a flower But shows some touch, in freckle, streak or stain, Of his unrivall'd pencil.

Nature is but a name for an effect, Whose cause is God.

Some to the fascination of a name Surrender judgment hoodwink'd.

Knowledge, a rude unprofitable mass, The mere materials with which wisdom builds, Till smoothed and squared and fitted to its place, Does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more. Books are not seldom talismans and spells.

Knowledge and Wisdom, far from being one, Have oft-times no connexion, Knowledge dwells in heads replete with thoughts of other men, Wisdom in minds attentive to their own.

Here the heart May give a useful lesson to the head, And Learning wiser grow without his books.

There is in souls a sympathy with sounds; And as the mind is pitched the ear is pleased With melting airs or martial, brisk, or grave: Some chord in unison with what we hear Is touched within us, and the heart replies. How soft the music of those village bells Falling at intervals upon the ear In cadence sweet!

Give what Thou canst, without Thee we are poor; And with Thee rich, take what Thou wilt away.

Acquaint thyself with God, if thou would'st taste His works. Admitted once to his embrace, Thou shalt perceive that thou was blind before: Thine eye shall be instructed; and thine heart Made pure shall relish with divine delight Till then unfelt, what hands divine have wrought.

With filial confidence inspired, Can lift to Heaven an unpresumptuous eye, And smiling say, My Father made them all!

He is the freeman whom the truth makes free.

The still small voice is wanted.