William Cowper (1731–1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him “the best modern poet”, whilst William Wordsworth particularly admired his poem Yardley-Oak. He was a nephew of the poet Judith Madan.
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Absence of occupation is not rest; a mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.
—William Cowper
Topics: Leisure, Occupation
Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much;
wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
—William Cowper
Habits are soon assumed; but when we endeavor to strip them off, it is being flayed alive.
—William Cowper
Topics: Habit
A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.
—William Cowper
Variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.
—William Cowper
The rich are too indolent, the poor too weak, to bear the insupportable fatigue of thinking.
—William Cowper
Topics: Thought
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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