George Crabbe
Be there a will, and wisdom finds a way.Collection: Wisdom
To show the world what long experience gains, requires not courage, though it calls for pains; but at life's outset to inform mankind is a bold effort of a valiant mind.Collection: Courage
With eye upraised his master's looks to scan, The joy, the solace, and the aid of man; The rich man's guardian, and the poor man's friend, The only creature faithful to the end.
A great lie is like a great fish on dry land; it may fret and fling and make a frightful bother, but it cannot hurt you. You have only to keep still, and it will die of itself.
To sigh, yet not recede; to grieve, yet not repent.
The game is never lost till won.
Better to love amiss than nothing to have loved.
Feed the musician, and he's out of tune.
To the house of a friend if you're pleased to retire, You must all things admit, you must all things admire; You must pay with observance the price of your treat, You must eat what is praised, and must praise what you eat.
Our farmers round, well pleased with constant gain, Like other farmers, flourish and complain.
In her experience all her friends relied, Heaven was her help and nature was her guide.
Deceivers are the most dangerous members of society. They trifle with the best affections of our nature, and violate the most sacred obligations.Collection: Lying
Arrogance is the act of the great; presumption that of the little.Collection: Arrogance
Life is not measured by the time we live.Collection: Life
Some hearts are hidden, some have not a heart.Collection: Heart
This, books can do-nor this alone; they give New views to life, and teach us how to live; They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise; Fools they admonish, and confirm the wise. Their aid they yield to all: they never shun The man of sorrow, nor the wretch undone; Unlike the hard, the selfish, and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd; Nor tell to various people various things, But show to subjects, what they show to kings.Collection: Wise
Men of many words sometimes argue for the sake of talking; men of ready tongues frequently dispute for the sake of victory; men in public life often debate for the sake of opposing the ruling party, or from any other motive than the love of truth.Collection: Party
A sly old fish, too cunning for the hook.Collection: Lakes
How often do we sigh for opportunities for doing good, whilst we neglect the openings of Providence in little things, which would frequently lead to the accomplishment of most important usefulness. Good is done by degrees. However small in proportion the benefit which follows individual attempts to do good, a great deal may thus be accomplished by perseverance, even in the midst of discouragements and disappointments.Collection: Perseverance
Learning is better worth than houses or land.Collection: Learning
But monument themselves memorials need.Collection: Memorial
In idle wishes, fools supinely stay. Be there a will and wisdom finds a way.Collection: Success
Whatever amuses, serves to kill time, to lull the faculties, and to banish reflection. Whatever entertains, usually awakens the understanding or gratifies the fancy. Whatever diverts, is lively in its nature, and sometimes tumultuous in its effects.Collection: Reflection
Habit with him was all the test of truth; It must be right: I've done it from my youth.Collection: Truth
A master passion is the love of news.Collection: Passion
What is a church?—Our honest sexton tells, 'Tis a tall building, with a tower and bells.Collection: Church
Anger makes us strong, Blind and impatient, And it leads us wrong; The strength is quickly lost; We feel the error long.Collection: Strength
Secrets with girls, like guns with boys, are never valued till they make a noise.Collection: Girl
Lo! the poor toper whose untutored sense, Sees bliss in ale, and can with wine dispense; Whose head proud fancy never taught to steer, Beyond the muddy ecstasies of beer.Collection: Wine
With awe, around these silent walks I tread; These are the lasting mansions of the dead.Collection: Silent
What is a church? Let Truth and reason speak, They would reply, "The faithful, pure and meek, From Christian folds, the one selected race, Of all professions, and in every place.Collection: Christian
Void of all honor, avaricious, rash, The daring tribe compound their boasted trash Tincture of syrup, lotion, drop, or pill; All tempt the sick to trust the lying bill.Collection: Lying
Life's bloomy flush was lost.Collection: Life
Impertinence will intermeddle in things in which it has no concern, showing a want of breeding, or, more commonly, a spirit of sheer impudence.Collection: Disrespect
Let's learn to live, for we must die alone.Collection: Life
Her air, her manners, all who saw admir'd; Courteous though coy, and gentle though retir'd; The joy of youth and health her eyes display'd, And ease of heart her every look convey'd.Collection: Eye
Virtues neglected then, adored become, And graces slighted, blossom on the tomb.Collection: Grace
Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend, Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend; But if he will thy friendly checks forego, Thou art, oh! woe for me, his deadliest foe!Collection: Art
Old Peter Grimes made fishing his employ; His wife he cabined with him and his boy, And seemed that life laborious to enjoy.Collection: Boys
All green was anished sae of pine and yew, That still displayed their melancholy hue; Sae the green holly with its berries red, And the green moss that o'er the grael spread.Collection: Hollies