William Cowper

Glory built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.

Glory built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.

A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.

A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.

Absence of occupation is not rest,
A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.

Absence of occupation is not rest,
A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.

Thus happiness depends, as Nature shows,
Less on exterior things than most suppose.

Thus happiness depends, as Nature shows,
Less on exterior things than most suppose.

. . . thieves at home must hang; but he that puts
Into his overgorged and bloated purse
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. . . thieves at home must hang; but he that puts
Into his overgorged and bloated purse
The wealth of Indian provinces, escapes.