Best 311 quotes of William Cowper on MyQuotes

Mountains interposed Make enemies of nations, who had else Like kindred drops been mingled into one.

[My kitten] is dressed in a tortoise-shell suit, and I know you will delight in her.

[My kitten's] gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.

My soul is sick with every day's report of wrong and outrage with which earth is filled.

Nature, exerting an unwearied power, Forms, opens, and gives scent to every flower; Spreads the fresh verdure of the field, and leads The dancing Naiads through the dewy meads.

Nature is a good name for an effect whose cause is God.

Necessity invented stools, Convenience next suggested elbow-chairs, And luxury the accomplish'd Sofa last.

No, Freedom has a thousand charms to show That slaves, howe'er contented, never know.

No man can be a patriot on an empty stomach.

No one was ever scolded out of their sins.

Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds, Exhilirate the spirit, and restore The tone of languid nature.

Not a flower But shows some touch, in freckle, streak or stain, Of his unrivall'd pencil. He inspires Their balmy odors, and imparts their hues, And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes In grains as countless as the seaside sands, The forms with which he sprinkles all the earth Happy who walks with him!

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

No tree in all the grove but has its charms, Though each its hue peculiar.

Not to understand a treasure's worth till time has stole away the slighted good, is cause of half the poverty we feel, and makes the world the wilderness it is.

No wild enthusiast could rest, till half the world like him was possessed.

No wisdom that she may gain by experience and reflection hereafter, will compensate the loss of her present hilarity.

Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa around, And while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn Throws up a steamy column, and the cups That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each, So let us welcome peaceful evening in

Oh, popular applause! what heart of man Is proof against thy sweet seducing charms? The wisest and the best feel urgent need Of all their caution in thy gentlest gales; But swell'd into a gust--who then, alas! With all his canvas set, and inexpert, And therefore, heedless, can withstand thy power?

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.

O, popular applause! what heart of man is proof against thy sweet, seducing charms?

O solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.

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

O Winter! ruler of the inverted year, . . . I crown thee king of intimate delights, Fireside enjoyments, home-born happiness, And all the comforts that the lowly roof Of undisturbed Retirement, and the hours Of long uninterrupted evening, know.

O Winter, ruler of the inverted year!

Perhaps thou gav'st me, though unseen, a kiss; Perhaps a tear, if souls can weep in bliss.

Pernicious weed! whose scent the fair annoys, Unfriendly to society's chief joys: Thy worst effect is banishing for hours The sex whose presence civilizes ours.

Philologists, who chase A painting syllable through time and space Start it at home, and hunt it in the dark, To Gaul, to Greece, and into Noah's Ark.

Pity! Religion has so seldom found A skilful guide into poetic ground! The flowers would spring where'er she deign'd to stray And every muse attend her in her way.

Pleasure admitted in undue degree, enslaves the will, nor leaves the judgment free.

Pleasure is labour too, and tires as much.

Poor England! thou art a devoted deer, Beset with every ill but that of fear. The nations hunt; all mock thee for a prey; They swarm around thee, and thou stand'st at bay.

Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.

Religion Caesar never knew Thy posterity shall sway, Where his eagles never flew, None as invincible as they.

Religion does not censure or exclude Unnumbered pleasures, harmlessly pursued.

Religion, if in heavenly truths attired, Needs only to be seen to be admired.

Religion, richest favor of the skies.

Religion! what treasure untold resides in that heavenly word!

Remorse begets reform.

Remorse, the fatal egg by pleasure laid, In every bosom where her nest is made, Hatched by the beams of truth, denies him rest, And proves a raging scorpion in his breast.

Remorse, the fatal egg that pleasure laid.

Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.

Riches have wings, and grandeur is a dream.

Sacred interpreter of human thought, How few respect or use thee as they ought! But all shall give account of every wrong, Who dare dishonor or defile the tongue; Who prostitute it in the cause of vice, Or sell their glory at a market-price!

Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees.

Scenes must be beautiful which daily view'd Please daily, and whose novelty survives Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years.

Sends Nature forth the daughter of the skies... To dance on earth, and charm all human eyes.

She that asks Her dear five hundred friends, contemns them all, And hates their coming.

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

Sin let loose speaks punishment at hand.