William Cowper ( 10 of 184 )
The sinews of affairs are cut.
The sinews of affairs are cut.
Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.
Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.
An idler is a watch that wants both hands;
As useless if it goes as when it stands.
An idler is a watch that wants both hands;
As useless if it goes as when it stands.
Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.
It's what you do with what read more
Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.
It's what you do with what you have left.
An epigram is but a feeble thing - With straw in tail, stuck there by way of sting
An epigram is but a feeble thing - With straw in tail, stuck there by way of sting
'Twere better to be born a stone
Of ruder shape, and feeling none,
Than with a tenderness read more
'Twere better to be born a stone
Of ruder shape, and feeling none,
Than with a tenderness like mine
And sensibilities so fine!
Ah, hapless wretch! condemn'd to dwell
Forever in my native shell,
Ordained to move when others please,
Not for my own content or ease;
But toss'd and buffeted about,
Now in the water and now out.
How various his employments whom the world
Calls idle; and who justly in return
Esteems that busy read more
How various his employments whom the world
Calls idle; and who justly in return
Esteems that busy world an idler too!
Ten thousand casks,
Forever dribbling out their base contents,
Touch'd by the Midas finger of the state,
read more
Ten thousand casks,
Forever dribbling out their base contents,
Touch'd by the Midas finger of the state,
Bleed gold for ministers to sport away.
Drink, and be mad then; 'tis your country bids!
Man on the dubious waves of error toss'd.
Man on the dubious waves of error toss'd.
The things that mount the rostrum with a skip,
And then skip down again, pronounce a text,
read more
The things that mount the rostrum with a skip,
And then skip down again, pronounce a text,
Cry hem; and reading what they never wrote
Just fifteen minutes, huddle up their work,
And with a well-bred whisper close the scene!
