Quotes from George Herbert

Thou that hast given so much to me give me one thing more, a grateful heart: not thankful when it pleaseth me, as if Thy blessings had spare days, but such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.

Woe be to him that reads but one book.

Storms make oaks take deeper root.

Life is half spent before we know what it is.

He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.

The shortest answer is doing.

He begins to die, that quits his desires.

A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread.

Every mile is two in winter

Death used to be an executioner, but the gospel has made him just a gardner.

Love and a cough cannot be hid.

Be calm in arguing: for fierceness makes Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

Every path hath a puddle.

Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

Who says that fictions only and false hair Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauty? Is all good structure in a winding stair?

Good words are worth much, and cost little.

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridal of the earth and sky; The dew shall weep thy fall tonight, For thou must die.

Man is no star, but a quick coal Of mortal fire: Who blows it not, nor doth control A faint desire

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guiltie of dust and sin.

Love is that liquor sweet and most divine, Which my God feels as blood; but I, as wine.

But I am lost in flesh, whose sugared lies, Still mock me and grow bold: Sure thou didst put a mind there, if I could Find where it lies.

None knows the weight of another's burthen.

Throw away thy rod, throw away thy wrath; O my God, take the gentle path.

The God of love my shepherd is,            And he that doth me feed: While he is mine, and I am his,            What can I want or need?