Robert Southwell Quotes

The path to Heaven is narrow, rough and full of wearisome and trying ascents, nor can it be trodden without great toil; and therefore wrong is their way, gross their error, and assured their ruin who, after the testimony of so many thousands of saints, will not learn where to settle their footing.

God gave Himself to you: give yourself to God.

Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.

When Fortune smiles, I smile to think how quickly she will frown.

The saddest birds a season find to sing,The roughest storm a calm may soon allay;Thus with succeeding turns God tempereth all,That men may hope to rise yet fear to fall.

Christianity is warfare, and Christians are spiritualsoldiers.

Few have all they need, none all they wish.

I feel no care of coin,Well-doing is my wealth;My mind to me an empire is,While grace affordeth health.

What thought can think, another thought can mend.

Where sin was hatch'd, let tears now wash the nest, Where life was lost, recover life with cries.

My conscience is my crown,Contented thoughts my rest;My heart is happy in itself,My bliss is in my breast.Enough I reckon wealth;A mean the surest lot,That lies too high for base contempt,Too low for envy's shot.

Man's mind a mirror is of heavenly sights,A brief wherein all marvels summèd lie,Of fairest forms and sweetest shapes the store,Most graceful all, yet thought may grace them more.

Times go by turns, and chances change by course, from foul to fair, from better hap to worse.

Shun delays, they breed remorse;Take thy time while time is lent thee;Creeping snails have weakest force,Fly their fault lest thou repent thee.Good is best when soonest wrought,Linger'd labours come to nought.

I wealthiest am when richest in remorse.

Plough not the seas, sow not the sands,Leave off your idle pain;Seek other mistress for your minds,Love's service is in vain.