Quotes from William Cowper

He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, And all are slaves besides.

But what is truth? 'Twas Pilate's question put To Truth itself, that deign'd him no reply.

No one was ever scolded out of their sins.

Our love is principle, and has its root In reason, is judicious, manly, free.

Lord, it is my chief complaint, That my love is weak and faint; Yet I love thee and adore, Oh for grace to love thee more!

Ye therefore who love mercy, teach your sons to love it, too.

It chills my blood to hear the blest Supreme Rudely appealed to on each trifling theme.

No traveler e'er reached that blest abode who found not thorns and briers in his road.

Remorse begets reform.

The town is man's world, but this (country life) is of God.

A moral, sensible, and well-bred man Will not affront me, and no other can.

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.

Grief is itself a med'cine.

Happiness depends, as Nature shows, Less on exterior things than most suppose.

The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.

Glory, built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.

War's a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings would not play at.

Oh to have a lodge in some vast wilderness. Where rumors of oppression and deceit, of unsuccessful and successful wars may never reach me anymore.

Beware of desp'rate steps; the darkest day lived till tomorrow will have pass'd away.

Absence of occupation is not rest, A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.

We are never more in danger than when we think ourselves most secure, nor in reality more secure than when we seem to be most in danger.

I praise the Frenchman; his remark was shrewd, - "How sweet, how passing sweet is solitude." But grant me still a friend in my retreat, Whom I may whisper - Solitude is sweet.

The cares of today are seldom those of tomorrow.

Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour.