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William Cowper Quotes

Poet

William Cowper, a renowned English poet, was born on November 26, 1731, and died on April 25, 1800. Known for his lyrical and satirical poems, Cowper's works held a significant place in English literature during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

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All Men May Ifs Giving Home Mind Stills Heart World Sweet Way Should Wells Made Pleasure Art Charm Earth Fall Flower

Famous William Cowper Quotes

“But conversation, choose what theme we may, And chiefly when religion leads the way, Should flow, like waters after summer show'rs, Not as if raised by mere mechanic powers.”

Ifs Way Should May Shows Water Conversation Summer Flow Mere Raised Theme Mechanic

Author:William Cowper

“He that negotiates between God and man, As God's ambassador, the grand concerns Of judgment and of mercy, should beware Of lightness in his speech.”

Men Should Speech Judgment Concern Mercy Preaching Ambassadors Lightness

Book:The complete poetical works of William Cowper, with life and critical notice of his writings

Source: The complete poetical works of William Cowper, with life and critical notice of his writings

“The mind, relaxing into needful sport, Should turn to writers of an abler sort, Whose wit well managed, and whose classic style, Give truth a lustre, and make wisdom smile.”

Giving Should Mind Wells Turns Reading Sports Style Wit Classic

Book:The complete poetical works of William Cowper, with life and critical notice of his writings

Source: The complete poetical works of William Cowper, with life and critical notice of his writings

“It is a general rule of Judgment, that a mischief should rather be admitted than an inconvenience.”

Should Judgment Mischief Inconvenience

Author:William Cowper

“But war's a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings should not play at. Nations would do well To extort their truncheons from the puny hands Of heroes, whose infirm and baby minds Are gratified with mischief, and who spoil, Because men suffer it, their toy the world.”

Men World Should Mind Wells War Play Hands Suffering Games Nations Wise Subjects Baby Kings Hero Toys Spoil Mischief

Author:William Cowper

“Alas! if my best Friend, who laid down His life for me, were to remember all the instances in which I have neglected Him, and to plead them against me in judgment, where should I hide my guilty head in the day of recompense? I will pray, therefore, for blessings on my friends, even though they cease to be so, and upon my enemies, though they continue such.”

Ifs Should Remember Enemy Praying Blessing Judgment Forgiveness My Friends Cease Guilty Instance Should I Alas My Best Friend Neglected Recompense

Book:The Works of William Cowper: The life of William Cowper. Letters, 1765-1783

Source: The Works of William Cowper: The life of William Cowper. Letters, 1765-1783

“A lawyer's dealings should be just and fair; Honesty shines with great advantage there.”

Should Honesty Advantage Fairs Shining Lawyer Dealings

Book:The Poetical Works of William Cowper: With Life ; Six Engravings on Steel

Source: The Poetical Works of William Cowper: With Life ; Six Engravings on Steel

“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.”

Men Should Humans God Heaven Mercy Shining Scales Command Stride Wondrous Human Wisdom

Book:The complete poetical works of William Cowper, with life and critical notice of his writings

Source: The complete poetical works of William Cowper, with life and critical notice of his writings

“God forbid that Judges upon their oath should make resolutions to enlarge jurisdiction.”

Should Judging Resolution Oath Jurisdiction

Author:William Cowper

“... she, that will with kittens jest, Should bear a kitten's joke.”

Should Bears Jokes Cat Kitten Jest

Book:The Works of Cowper and Thompson: Including Many Letters and Poems Never Before Published in this Country. With a New and Interesting Memoir of the Life of Thomson

Source: The Works of Cowper and Thompson: Including Many Letters and Poems Never Before Published in this Country. With a New and Interesting Memoir of the Life of Thomson

“A teacher should be sparing of his smile.”

Should Education Teacher Teaching His Smile

Book:The Works of William Cowper, Comprising His Poems, Correspondence, and Translations

Source: The Works of William Cowper, Comprising His Poems, Correspondence, and Translations

“A tale should be judicious, clear, succinct; The language plain, and incidents well link'd; Tell not as new what ev'ry body knows; and, new or old, still hasten to a close.”

Knows Should Wells Stills Body Language Clear Tales Links Incidents

Author:William Cowper