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Francis Quarles Quotes

Poet

Francis Quarles, a renowned English poet, was born on May 8, 1592, and died on September 8, 1644. His poetry focused on religious and moral themes, deeply influenced by Puritan thought.

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All Ifs Thee Men May Soul World Heart Way Desire Literature Virtue Giving Thyself Action Ends Firsts Glory Charity Danger Fire

Famous Francis Quarles Quotes

“The strong desires of man's insatiate breast may stand possess'd Of all that earth can give; but earth can give no rest.”

Men Giving May Earth Desire Strong Breasts Strong Desire

Book:Quarles' emblems, illustr. by C. Bennett and W.H. Rogers

Source: Quarles' emblems, illustr. by C. Bennett and W.H. Rogers

“Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not gives advantage to the danger; it is less folly not to endeavor the prevention of the evil thou fearest than to fear the evil which thy endeavor cannot prevent.”

Giving Evil Fear Danger Advantage Folly Endeavor Spurs Fear Not Prevention

Author:Francis Quarles

“Afflictions clarify the soul; And like hard masters, give more hard directions, Tutoring the non-age of uncurbed affections.”

Giving Soul Hard Age Masters Affection Affliction

Author:Francis Quarles

“In giving of thy alms, inquire not so much into the person, as his necessity. God looks not so much upon the merits of him that requires, as into the manner of him that relieves; if the man deserve not, thou hast given it to humanity.”

Ifs Men Giving Looks Persons Humanity Given He Man Deserve Charity Merit Alms

Author:Francis Quarles

“Though virtue give a ragged livery, she gives a golden cognizance; if her service make thee poor, blush not. Thy poverty may disadvantage thee, but not dishonor thee.”

Ifs Giving May Poor Poverty Virtue Golden Thee Disadvantages Dishonor Ragged

Book:Enchiridion Institutions, Essays and Maxims, political, moral & divine. Divided into four centuries. By Francis Quarles

Source: Enchiridion Institutions, Essays and Maxims, political, moral & divine. Divided into four centuries. By Francis Quarles

“What money creates, money preserves: if thy wealth decays, thy honor dies; it is but a slippery happiness which fortunes can give, and frowns can take; and not worth the owning which a night's fire can melt, or a rough sea can drown.”

Ifs Giving Night Dies Wealth Fire Sea Honor Fortune Preserves Rough Decay Slippery Rough Seas

Author:Francis Quarles

“O who would trust this world, or prize what's in it, That gives and takes, and chops and changes, ev'ry minute?”

World Giving Minutes This World Prize Give And Take

Book:Emblems divine and moral: together with hieroglyphics of the life of man

Source: Emblems divine and moral: together with hieroglyphics of the life of man

“Charity feeds the poor, so does pride; charity builds an hospital, so does pride. In this they differ: charity gives her glory to God; pride takes her glory from man.”

Men Giving Doe Poor Pride Glory Charity Hospitals Glory Of God

Book:Enchiridion Institutions, Essays and Maxims, political, moral & divine. Divided into four centuries. By Francis Quarles

Source: Enchiridion Institutions, Essays and Maxims, political, moral & divine. Divided into four centuries. By Francis Quarles

“He that gives all, though but little, gives much; because God looks not to the quantity of the gift, but to the quality of the givers.”

Giving Looks Littles Quality Generosity Quantity Stewardship Giver Generosity And Giving Biblical Stewardship

Book:Enchiridion: Containing Institutions--divine: Contemplative, Practical; Moral: Ethical, Œconomical, Political

Source: Enchiridion: Containing Institutions--divine: Contemplative, Practical; Moral: Ethical, Œconomical, Political

“Proportion thy charity to the strength of thine estate, lest God proportion thine estate to the weakness of thy charity. Let the lips of the poor be the trumpet of thy gift, lest in seeking applause, thou lose thy reward. Nothing is more pleasing to God than an open hand and a closed mouth.”

Giving Hands Loses Poor Mouths Weakness Charity Rewards Lips Seeking Generosity Proportion Estates Stewardship Applause Trumpets

Author:Francis Quarles

“Charity is a naked child, giving honey to a bee without wings.”

Giving Children Wings Charity Naked Honey Bees

Book:Enchiridion Institutions, Essays and Maxims, political, moral & divine. Divided into four centuries. By Francis Quarles

Source: Enchiridion Institutions, Essays and Maxims, political, moral & divine. Divided into four centuries. By Francis Quarles