Quotes from John Greenleaf Whittier

The dreariest spot in all the land to Death they set apart; with scanty grace from Nature's hand, and none from that of Art.

Despair is infidelity and death.

Of all the sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: it might have been.

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

Nothing before, nothing behind; The steps of faith Fall on the seeming void, and find The Rock beneath.

The craven's fear is but selfishness like his merriment.

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

No longer forward nor behind I look in hope or fear But grateful take the good I find The best of now and here.

What is really momentous and all-important with us is the present, by which the future is shaped and colored.

Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.

No lance have I, in joust or fight, To splinter in my lady's sight; But, at her feet, how blest were I For any need of hers to die!