Quotes from William Cowper

God made bees, and bees made honey, God made man, and man made money, Pride made the devil, and the devil made sin; So God made a cole-pit to put the devil in.

There is mercy in every place. And mercy, encouraging thought gives even affliction a grace and reconciles man to his lot.

Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.

The man that dares traduce, because he can with safety to himself, is not a man.

Man on the dubious waves of error toss'd.

Happy the man who sees a God employed in all the good and ills that checker life.

Men deal with life as children with their play, Who first misuse, then cast their toys away.

God never meant that man should scale the Heavens By strides of human wisdom. In his works, Though wondrous, he commands us in his word To seek him rather where his mercy shines.

Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose.

Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds, Exhilirate the spirit, and restore The tone of languid nature.

Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appear'd, And ages ere the Mantuan swan was heard: To carry nature lengths unknown before, To give a Milton birth, ask'd ages more.

To trace in Nature's most minute design The signature and stamp of power divine. ... The Invisible in things scarce seen revealed, To whom an atom is an ample field.

But animated nature sweeter still, to soothe and satisfy the human ear.

Sends Nature forth the daughter of the skies... To dance on earth, and charm all human eyes.

Nature, exerting an unwearied power, Forms, opens, and gives scent to every flower; Spreads the fresh verdure of the field, and leads The dancing Naiads through the dewy meads.

Learning itself, received into a mind By nature weak, or viciously inclined, Serves but to lead philosophers astray, Where children would with ease discern the way.

When all within is peace How nature seems to smile Delights that never cease The live-long day beguile

What is there in the vale of lifeHalf so delightful as a wife;When friendship, love and peace combineTo stamp the marriage-bond divine?

Though peace be made, yet it's interest that keep peace.

All zeal for a reform, that gives offence To peace and charity, is mere pretence.

Some to the fascination of a name, Surrender judgment hoodwinked.

Grief is itself a med'cine.

Toil for the brave! The brave that are no more.

Glory built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.