Quotes from Thomas Gray

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys, and destiny obscure; Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile The short and simple annals of the poor.... Some village-Hampden, that with dauntless breast The little tyrant of his fields withstood; Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest, Some Cromwell guiltless of his country's blood.

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil

One principal characteristic of vice in the present age is the contempt of fame.

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Awaits alike th' inevitable hour. The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Any fool may write a most valuable book by chance, if he will only tell us what he heard and saw with veracity.

Can storied urn, or animated bust Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust, Or Flatt'ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death?

Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.

Visions of glory, spare my aching sight.

Her track, where'er the goddess roves, Glory pursue, and gen'rous shame, Th' unconquerable mind, and freedom's holy flame.

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heaven did a recompense as largely send: He gave to mis'ry (all he had) a tear, He gained from Heav'n ('t was all he wish'd) a friend.

A fav'rite has no friend!

There sit the sainted sage, the bard divine, The few, whom genius gave to shine Through every unborn age, and undiscovered clime.