--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This only grant me, that my means may…" description: "\"This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for envy, for contempt to high.\" — Abraham Cowley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81c/abraham-cowley-7641_contempt_this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie_845440.png" --- # This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for… ![“This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for envy, for contempt to high.” quote by Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81c/abraham-cowley-7641_contempt_this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie_845440.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81c/abraham-cowley-7641_contempt_this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie_845440.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81c/abraham-cowley-7641_contempt_this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie_845440.png) > “This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for envy, for contempt to high.” [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A wish that one’s means remain modest, avoiding envy and contempt, seeking humility. **In simple terms:** Stay modest. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility. Themes humility modesty envy contempt Mood reflective thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - social interactions - personal growth Key Concepts social hierarchy self‑worth Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance humility with ambition? - When is modesty appropriate? A Different Perspective Aspirations may be stifled by excessive modesty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Jealousy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jealousy/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) ## Related quotes > [Moderation is a fear of falling into that envy and contempt which those who grow giddy with their good fortune quite justly draw upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/moderation-is-a-fear-of-falling-into-that-envy-and-contempt-which/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“The first time he had taken the massa to one of these "high-falutin' to-dos," as Bell called them, Kunta had been all but overwhelmed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haley/the-first-time-he-had-taken-the-massa-to-one-of-these-high-falutin-to/) [Alex Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-haley/) > [Foemen at morn, but friends at eve Fame or country least their care: (What like a bullet can undeceive!) But now they lie low,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/foemen-at-morn-but-friends-at-eve-fame-or-country-least-their-care/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've made my mind up that I will only do a film that I really, really love. I'm determined to lie low until a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-garner/i-ve-made-my-mind-up-that-i-will-only-do-a-film-that-i-really-really/) [Jennifer Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-garner/) > [“I didn’t want to lie low to avoid him. I wanted to lie low with him. I wanted him behind the bar under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-arend/i-didn-t-want-to-lie-low-to-avoid-him-i-wanted-to-lie-low-with-him-i/) [Vivian Arend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-arend/) > [“ruin. To do good, work well, and lie low is the way of the blessing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/ruin-to-do-good-work-well-and-lie-low-is-the-way-of-the-blessing/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Heatherlegh is the dearest doctor that ever was, and his invariable prescription to all his patients is, "lie low, go slow, and keep cool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/heatherlegh-is-the-dearest-doctor-that-ever-was-and-his-invariable/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [When the futures architectured, by a carnival of idiots on show, you better lie low.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coldplay/when-the-futures-architectured-by-a-carnival-of-idiots-on-show-you/) [Coldplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coldplay/) > [The tall, the wise, the reverend head Must lie as low as ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-watts/the-tall-the-wise-the-reverend-head-must-lie-as-low-as-ours/) [Isaac Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-watts/) > [“One must lie low, no matter how much it went against the grain, and try to understand that this great organization remained, so to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/one-must-lie-low-no-matter-how-much-it-went-against-the-grain-and-try/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [The most unequivocal sign of contempt for man is to regard everybody merely as a means to one's own ends, or of no account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-most-unequivocal-sign-of-contempt-for-man-is-to-regard-everybody/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [To large numbers of American citizens life in certain parts of the country becomes intolerably hazardous. They may be seized on any pretext, however…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/to-large-numbers-of-american-citizens-life-in-certain-parts-of-the/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Capitalist exploitation and cartels and monopolies are the enemies of underdeveloped countries. On the other hand a regime which is completely oriented towards the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frantz-fanon/capitalist-exploitation-and-cartels-and-monopolies-are-the-enemies-of/) [Frantz Fanon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frantz-fanon/) > [Throughout the last century there were multiple attempts at giving Afghan women more autonomy, to change marriage laws, to abolish the practice of bride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/throughout-the-last-century-there-were-multiple-attempts-at-giving/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) ## More by Abraham Cowley > [All the world's bravery that delights our eyes is but thy several liveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/all-the-world-s-bravery-that-delights-our-eyes-is-but-thy-several/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [The liberty of a people consists in being governed by laws which they have made themselves, under whatsoever form it be of government; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/the-liberty-of-a-people-consists-in-being-governed-by-laws-which-they/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [The monster London laugh at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/the-monster-london-laugh-at-me/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [His time's forever, everywhere his place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/his-time-s-forever-everywhere-his-place/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [I confess I love littleness almost in all things. A little convenient estate, a little cheerful house, a little company, and a little feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/i-confess-i-love-littleness-almost-in-all-things-a-little-convenient/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [The Sunflow'r, thinking 'twas for him foul shame To nap by daylight, strove t' excuse the blame; It was not sleep that made him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/the-sunflow-r-thinking-twas-for-him-foul-shame-to-nap-by-daylight/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [Nothing is to come, and nothing past: But an eternal now, does always last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/nothing-is-to-come-and-nothing-past-but-an-eternal-now-does-always/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [We may talk what we please," he cries in his enthusiasm for the oldest of the arts, "of lilies, and lions rampant, and spread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/we-may-talk-what-we-please-he-cries-in-his-enthusiasm-for-the-oldest/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [Solitude can be used well by very few people. They who do must have a knowledge of the world to see the foolishness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/solitude-can-be-used-well-by-very-few-people-they-who-do-must-have-a/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [Stones of small worth may lie unseen by day, But night itself does the rich gem betray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/stones-of-small-worth-may-lie-unseen-by-day-but-night-itself-does-the/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [Gold begets in brethren hate; Gold in families debate; Gold does friendship separate; Gold does civil wars create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/gold-begets-in-brethren-hate-gold-in-families-debate-gold-does/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [Poets by Death are conquer'd but the wit Of poets triumphs over it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/poets-by-death-are-conquer-d-but-the-wit-of-poets-triumphs-over-it/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [s a scene of changes, and to be constant in Nature were inconstancy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/s-a-scene-of-changes-and-to-be-constant-in-nature-were-inconstancy/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [May I a small house and large garden have; And a few friends, And many books, both true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/may-i-a-small-house-and-large-garden-have-and-a-few-friends-and-many/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [Sleep is a god too proud to wait in palaces, and yet so humble too as not to scorn the meanest country cottages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/sleep-is-a-god-too-proud-to-wait-in-palaces-and-yet-so-humble-too-as/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) [Explore all 88 Abraham Cowley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) ## More Contempt quotes > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [The contempt for law and the contempt for the human consequences of lawbreaking go from the bottom to the top of American society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-contempt-for-law-and-the-contempt-for-the-human-consequences-of/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Our security depends on having good relationships with our allies. Donald Trump mainly shows contempt for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/our-security-depends-on-having-good-relationships-with-our-allies/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [There is no real elevation of mind in a contempt of little things; it is, on the contrary, from too narrow views that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/there-is-no-real-elevation-of-mind-in-a-contempt-of-little-things-it/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit; but a just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/boasting-and-bravado-may-exist-in-the-breast-even-of-the-coward-if-he/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [Somebody once told me that if you laugh at a George Bush joke, or you send an email cartoon to your friends that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/somebody-once-told-me-that-if-you-laugh-at-a-george-bush-joke-or-you/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [Unless a man gives himself entirely to the Cross, in a spirit of humility and self-abasement; unless he casts himself down to be trampled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-the-evangelist/unless-a-man-gives-himself-entirely-to-the-cross-in-a-spirit-of/) [Mark the Evangelist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-the-evangelist/) > [Much of the same sort of degraded and filthy talk can still be heard among the orc-minded; dreary and repetitive with hatred and contempt,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/much-of-the-same-sort-of-degraded-and-filthy-talk-can-still-be-heard/) [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) > [Contempt for an assailant is best shown by bravery in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/contempt-for-an-assailant-is-best-shown-by-bravery-in-action/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [Statuettes of drunken sailors, velvet pictures of island maidens, plastic seashell lamps made in Taiwan. What contempt the people who think up souvenirs have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-johnson/statuettes-of-drunken-sailors-velvet-pictures-of-island-maidens/) [Diane Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-johnson/) > [Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-from-voter-on-up-to-cabinet/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Those with a gift for action, for their part, often express contempt for those whose gifts are more reflective. Men of action like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/those-with-a-gift-for-action-for-their-part-often-express-contempt/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [“opprobrious term, employed to impose contempt upon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabari-asim/opprobrious-term-employed-to-impose-contempt-upon/) [Jabari Asim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabari-asim/) > [Heterosexual intercourse is the pure, formalized expression of contempt for women's bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-dworkin/heterosexual-intercourse-is-the-pure-formalized-expression-of/) [Andrea Dworkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-dworkin/) [Browse all 1,034 Contempt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for envy, for contempt to high.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abraham Cowley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie-too-low-for-envy-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contempt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie-too-low-for-envy-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81c/abraham-cowley-7641_contempt_this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie_845440.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81c/abraham-cowley-7641_contempt_this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie_845440.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81c/abraham-cowley-7641_contempt_this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie_845440.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This only grant me, that my means may lie, too low for envy, for contempt to high.” — Abraham Cowley", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abraham Cowley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "This only grant me, that my...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie-too-low-for-envy-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/this-only-grant-me-that-my-means-may-lie-too-low-for-envy-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```