George Crabbe Quotes - Page 2

Who often reads, will sometimes wish to write.

Good is done by degrees.

Secrets with girls, like guns with boys, are never valued till they make a noise.

What is a church?—Our honest sexton tells, 'Tis a tall building, with a tower and bells.

The gentle fair on nervous tea relies, Whilst gay good-nature sparkles in her eyes; An inoffensive scandal fluttering round, Too rough to tickle, and too light to wound.

Fashion, though Folly's child, and guide of fools, Rules e'en the wisest, and in learning rules.

With eye upraised his master's look 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.

Shall he who soars, inspired by loftier views, Life's little cares and little pains refuse? Shall he not rather feel a double share Of mortal woe, when doubly arm'd to bear?

Men famed for wit, of dangerous talents vain, Treat those of common parts with proud disdain; The powers that wisdom would, improving, hide, They blaze abroad, with inconsid'rate pride; While yet but mere probationers for fame, They seize the honor they should then disclaim: Honor so hurried to the light must fade, The lasting laurels nourish in the shade.

Genius! thou gift of Heav'n! thou Light divine! Amid what dangers art thou doom'd to shine! Oft will the body's weakness check thy force, Oft damp thy Vigour, and impede thy course; And trembling nerves compel thee to restrain Thy noble efforts, to contend with pain; Or Want (sad guest!) will in thy presence come, And breathe around her melancholy gloom: To Life's low cares will thy proud thought confine, And make her sufferings, her impatience, thine.

Ability comprehends the power of doing in general, without specifying the quality or degree.

Against her foes Religion well defends Her sacred truths, but often fears her friends.

Oh, rather give me commentators plain, Who with no deep researches vex the brain; Who from the dark and doubtful love to run, And hold their glimmering tapers to the sun.

I paint the cot, As truth will paint it, and as bards will not.

Who calls a lawyer rogue, may find, too lateUpon one of these depends his whole estate.

'T was good advice, and meant, my son, Be good.

I grant indeed that fields and flocks have charms, For him that gazes or for him that farms.

Virtues neglected then, adored become, And graces slighted, blossom on the tomb.

Hence, in these times, untouch'd the pages lie, And slumber out their immortality.

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

But jest apart--what virtue canst thou trace In that broad trim that hides thy sober face? Does that long-skirted drab, that over-nice And formal clothing, prove a scorn of vice? Then for thine accent--what in sound can be So void of grace as dull monotony?

Temp'rate in every place--abroad, at home, Thence will applause, and hence will profit come; And health from either--he in time prepares For sickness, age, and their attendant cares.

An infatuated man is not only foolish, but wild.

Impertinence will intermeddle in things in which it has no concern, showing a want of breeding, or, more commonly, a spirit of sheer impudence.

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!