Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by William Cowper (English Anglican Poet)

William Cowper (1731–1800) was a British poet and hymn-writer. Often recognized as a “transitional” writer, he anticipated the attitudes and subjects of Romantic and Victorian authors.

Born in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, Cowper was educated at Westminster School. He studied law and was called to the Bar in 1754, but did not practice. He showed signs of insanity—in 1763, he tried to commit suicide and was sent to a sanatorium.

Together with the evangelical minister John Newton, Cowper wrote the Olney Hymns (1779,) to which Cowper contributed some hymns. His well-known hymns, including “There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood,” “God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” and “Oh for a Closer Walk with God” have become standards of the Anglican Church.

Cowper’s other works include the ballad ‘John Gilpin’ (1783,) ‘Castaway,’ The Task (1785,) an intimate sketch of rural life, and translations including poet John Milton’s Latin poems.

Cowper is generally regarded as the poet of the evangelical revival and as the precursor of William Wordsworth as a poet of nature. Novelist Jane Austen’s characters often quote some of Cowper’s poems.

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by William Cowper

Fate steals along with silent tread, Found oftenest in what least we dread; Frowns in the storm with angry brow, But in the sunshine strikes the blow.
William Cowper
Topics: Fate

The rich are too indolent, the poor too weak, to bear the insupportable fatigue of thinking.
William Cowper
Topics: Thought

Beware of desperate steps.—The darkest day, live till tomorrow, will have passed away.
William Cowper
Topics: Despair

To follow foolish precedents, and wink with both our eyes, is easier than to think.
William Cowper
Topics: Custom, Fools

He comes, the herald of a noisy world, news from all nations lumbering at his back; a messenger of grief perhaps to thousands, and a joy to some.
William Cowper
Topics: News

Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.
William Cowper
Topics: Kindness, Compassion

Reasoning at every step he treads,
Man yet mistakes his way,
Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads,
Are rarely known to stray.
William Cowper
Topics: Intuition

An idler is a watch that wants both hands; As useless if it goes as when it stands.
William Cowper
Topics: Idleness

Religion! what treasure untold resides in that heavenly word!
William Cowper
Topics: Religion

Toil for the brave! The brave that are no more.
William Cowper
Topics: Brave

Knowledge, a rude unprofitable mass, the mere materials with which wisdom builds, till smoothed and squared and fitted to its place, does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
William Cowper
Topics: Wisdom, Humility, Knowledge

The innocent seldom find an uneasy pillow.
William Cowper
Topics: Innocence, Conscience

Man, in society, is like a flower blown in its native bud. It is there only that his faculties, expanded in full bloom, shine out, there only reach their proper use.
William Cowper
Topics: Society

Ceremony leads her bigots forth, prepared to fight for shadows of no worth. While truths, on which eternal things depend, can hardly find a single friend.
William Cowper
Topics: Truth

Freedom has a thousand charms to show,
That slaves, howe’er contented, never know.
William Cowper
Topics: Freedom

Solitude, seeming a sanctuary, proves a grave; a sepulchre in which the living lie, where all good qualities grow sick and die.
William Cowper
Topics: Solitude

If my resolution to be a great man was half so strong as it is to despise the shame of being a little one … .
William Cowper
Topics: Attitude

A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.
William Cowper
Topics: Happiness, Life, Living, Idleness, Laziness

Knowledge is proud that she knows so much; Wisdom is humble that she knows no more.
William Cowper
Topics: Knowledge, Now, Wisdom

A brave man knows no malice; but forgets, in peace, the injuries of war, and gives his direst foe a friend’s embrace.
William Cowper

A self-made man? Yes, and one who worships his creator.
William Cowper
Topics: Pride

He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, and all are slaves beside.
William Cowper
Topics: Freedom, Liberty, Truth

Once more I would adopt the graver style—a teacher should be sparing of his smile.
William Cowper
Topics: Teachers, Teaching

Like Eden’s dead probationary tree, Knowledge of good and evil is from thee.
William Cowper
Topics: Journalism

In all the vast and the minute, we see the unambiguous footsteps of the God, who gives its luster to the insect’s wing, and wheels his throne upon the rolling worlds.
William Cowper
Topics: God

Fanaticism soberly defined, is the false fire of an over heated mind.
William Cowper
Topics: Fanaticism

The kindest and the happiest pair, will find occasion to forbear; find something every day they live, to pity, and perhaps forgive.
William Cowper
Topics: Marriage

Man disavows, and Deity disowns me: hell might afford my miseries a shelter; therefore hell keeps her ever-hungry mouths all bolted against me.
William Cowper
Topics: Insanity

Habits are soon assumed; but when we endeavor to strip them off, it is being flayed alive.
William Cowper
Topics: Habit

Knowledge dwells in heads replete with thoughts of other men; wisdom, in minds attentive to their own.
William Cowper
Topics: Knowledge

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