Francis Quarles Quotes - Page 6

Be very vigilant over thy child in the April of his understanding, lest the frost of May nip his blossoms. While he is a tender twig, straighten him; whilst he is a new vessel, season him; such as thou makest him, such commonly shall thou find him. Let his first lesson be obedience and his second shall be what thou wilt.

Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it.

Is not this lily pure? What fuller can procure A white so perfect, spotless clear As in this flower doth appear?

I'll ne'er distrust my God for cloth and bread while lilies flourish and the raven 's fed.

Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not gives advantage to the danger; it is less folly not to endeavor the prevention of the evil thou fearest than to fear the evil which thy endeavor cannot prevent.

God hath given to mankind a common library, His creatures; to every man a proper book, himself being an abridgment of all others. If thou read with understanding, it will make thee a great master of philosophy, and a true servant of the divine Author: if thou but barely read, it will make thee thine own wise man and the Author's fool.

What treasures here do Mammon's sons behold! Yet know that all that which glitters is not gold.

Money is both the generation and corruption of purchased honor; honor is both the child and slave of potent money: the credit which honor hath lost, money hath found. When honor grew mercenary, money grew honorable. The way to be truly noble is to contemn both.

Lust is a sharp spur to vice, which always putteth the affections into a false gallop.

When the flesh presents thee with delights, then present thyself with dangers; where the world possesses thee with vain hopes, there possess thyself with true fear; when the devil brings thee oil, bring thou vinegar. The way to be safe is never to be secure.

Neutrality is dangerous, whereby thou becomest a necessary prey to the conqueror.

Obedience to truth known, is the king's highway to that which is still beyond us.

He that discovers himself, till he hath made himself master of his desires, lays himself open to his own ruin, and makes himself prisoner to his own tongue.

See, here's a shadow found; the human nature Is made th' umbrella to the Deity, To catch the sunbeams of thy just Creator; Beneath this covert thou may'st safely lie.

God's pleasure is at the end of our prayers.

Use law and physic only for necessity; they that use them otherwise abuse themselves unto weak bodies, and light purses; they are good remedies, bad businesses, and worse recreations.

The suburbs of folly is vain mirth, and profuseness of laughter is the city of fools.

For trash and toys, And grief-engend'ring joys, What torment seems too sharp for flesh and blood; What bitter pills, Compos'd of real ills, Men swallow down to purchase one false good!

Death's a fable. Did not Heaven inspire your equal Elements with living Fire blown from the Spring of Life? Is not that breath Immortal? Come; ye are as free from death as He that made ye: Can the flames expire which he kindled?

How is the anxious soul of man befool'd in his desire, That thinks an hectic fever may be cool'd in flames of fire?

The strong desires of man's insatiate breast may stand possess'd Of all that earth can give; but earth can give no rest.

Whose gold is double with a careful hand, His cares are double.

Charity is a naked child, giving honey to a bee without wings.

Heaven finds an ear when sinners find a tongue.

Temper your enjoyments with prudence, lest there be written on your heart that fearful word 'satiety.'