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John Greenleaf Whittier

John Greenleaf Whittier Quotes

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Famous John Greenleaf Whittier Quotes

“Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West, From North and South, come the pilgrim and guest, When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board The old broken links of affection restored, When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more, And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before. What moistens the lips and what brightens the eye? What calls back the past, like the rich pumpkin pie?”

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Author:John Greenleaf Whittier
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“God should be most where man is least: So, where is neither church nor priest, And never rag nor form of creed To clothe the nakedness of need,- Where farmer folk in silence meet,- I turn my bell-unsummoned feet; I lay the critic's glass aside, I tread upon my lettered pride, And, lowest-seated, testify To the oneness of humanity; Confess the universal want, And share whatever Heaven may grant. He findeth not who seeks his own, The soul is lost that's saved alone.”

MenWantNeedsShouldMaySoulFormHumanityTurnsLostHeavenChurchSilenceFeetSharePrideUniversalLaysCriticsFolksGlassesSavedOnenessPriestsGrantsFarmersBellsCreedsLowestRagsQuaker
Book:Among the Hills, and Other Poems
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“Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and downright honest man! He blew no trumpet in the market-place, Nor in the church with hypocritic face Supplied with cant the lack of Christian grace; Loathing pretence, he did with cheerful will What others talked of while their hands were still.”

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Book:The complete poetical works of John Greenleaf Whittier
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“When earth as if on evil dreams Looks back upon her wars, And the white light of Christ outstreams From the red disc of Mars, His fame, who led the stormy van Of battle, well may cease; But never that which crowns the man Whose victory was peace.”

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Book:Poems of John Greenleaf Whittier
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“The age is dull and mean. Men creep, Not walk; with blood too pale and tame To pay the debt they owe to shame; Buy cheap, sell dear; eat. drink, and sleep down-pillowed, deaf to moaning want; Pay tithes for soul-insurance; keep Six days to Mammon, one to Cant”

MenWantMeanSoulAgeSleepWalksPayBloodDrinkSixShameSellsDearDebtDullPaleDeafCantCreepsTitheMoaningMean Man
Book:The Works of Whittier, Volume III (of VII) Anti-Slavery Poems and Songs of Labor and Reform
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