Home / Authors / Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts Quotes

Writer

Isaac Watts was an English writer, primarily known for his hymns and educational works. Born on July 17, 1674, he is credited with shaping the hymnody of the English-speaking world. Watts' writings emphasized moral and spiritual themes, and he is remembered for his influential educational philosophy that emphasized the importance of early childhood education.

Filter quotes by topic

All Men May Mind Soul Lord Flower Glory Ifs Littles Should Grace Heart Lying Sin Stills World Age Believe Book Divine

Famous Isaac Watts Quotes

“I write not for your farthing, but to try. How I your farthing writers, may outvie.”

Writing Trying May

Author:Isaac Watts

“It was a saying of the ancients, "Truth lies in a well;" and to carry on this metaphor, we may justly say that logic does supply us with steps, whereby we may go down to reach the water.”

Wells May Doe Lying Water Steps Logic Metaphor

Author:Isaac Watts

“As a man may be eating all day, and for want of digestion is never nourished, so these endless readers may cram themselves in vain with intellectual food.”

Men Want May Reading Reader Eating Intellectual Endless Vain Digestion

Book:The Improvement of the Mind

Source: The Improvement of the Mind

“Study detains the mind by the perpetual occurrence of something new, which may gratefully strike the imagination.”

Mind May Imagination Study Strikes Something New Perpetual

Author:Isaac Watts

“Sweet is the day of sacred rest; No mortal cares shall seize my breast; O may my heart in tune be found Like David's harp of solemn sound.”

Heart May Care Found Sound Sweet My Heart Sacred Mortals Breasts Tunes Solemn Harps

Book:An Arrangement of the Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts

Source: An Arrangement of the Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts

“The stars, that in their courses roll, Have much instruction given; But Thy good Word informs my soul How I may climb to Heaven.”

May Soul Courses Given Heaven Stars My Soul Climbs Instruction Good Words

Book:Twenty-Eight Divine Songs for the use of Children

Source: Twenty-Eight Divine Songs for the use of Children

“Fancy and humour, early and constantly indulged in, may expect an old age overrun with follies.”

May Age Humour Old Age Fancy Folly

Book:The Improvement of the Mind; with a Discourse on the Education of Children and Youth

Source: The Improvement of the Mind; with a Discourse on the Education of Children and Youth

“Though reading and conversation may furnish us with many ideas of men and things, yet it is our own meditation must form our judgment.”

Men May Ideas Form Reading Meditation Conversation Judgment

Book:The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts D.D. in nine volumes

Source: The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts D.D. in nine volumes

“At books, or work, or healthy play, Let all my years be passed; That I may give for every day A good account at last.”

Giving Years May Book Play Lasts Healthy Accounts

Author:Isaac Watts

“Acquire a government over your ideas, that they may come down when they are called, and depart when they are bidden.”

May Ideas Government Acquire Over You

Author:Isaac Watts

“Speak softly. It is far better to rule by love than fear.Speak softly. Let no harsh words mar the good we may do here.”

May Speak Mars Harsh Harsh Words Speak Softly

Author:Isaac Watts