Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose. — William Cowper Depends Copy Share Image
An idler is a watch that wants both hands; As useless if it goes as when it stands. — William Cowper Hands Copy Share Image
Some to the fascination of a name, Surrender judgment hoodwinked. — William Cowper Fascination Copy Share Image
Our love is principle, and has its root In reason, is judicious, manly, free. — William Cowper Free life Copy Share Image
To follow foolish precedents, and wink With both our eyes, is easier than to think. — William Cowper Easier Copy Share Image
Forgot the blush that virgin fears impart To modest cheeks, and borrowed one from art. — William Cowper Art Copy Share Image
Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no more. — William Cowper Humble Copy Share Image
Stamps God's own name upon a lie just made, To turn a penny in the way of trade. — William Cowper Lying Copy Share Image
Fate steals along with silent tread, Found oftenest in what least we dread; Frowns in the storm with angry brow, But in… — William Cowper Angry Copy Share Image
“then to the dance, and make the sober moon... witness of joys that shun the sights of noon.” — William Cowper Dance Copy Share Image
Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray. — William Cowper Every step Copy Share Image
John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London town. — William Cowper Famous Copy Share Image
But oars alone can ne'er prevail To reach the distant coast; The breath of Heaven must swell the sail, Or all the… — William Cowper Breaths Copy Share Image
He that attends to his interior self, That has a heart, and keeps it; has a mind That hungers, and supplies it;… — William Cowper Business Copy Share Image
Man disavows, and Deity disowns me: hell might afford my miseries a shelter; therefore hell keeps her ever-hungry mouths all bolted against… — William Cowper Deities Copy Share Image
What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void The world can never… — William Cowper Enjoy Copy Share Image
Thou god of our idolatry, the press. . . . Thou fountain, at which drink the good and wise; Thou ever-bubbling spring… — William Cowper Drink Copy Share Image
Most satirists are indeed a public scourge; Their mildest physic is a farrier's purge; Their acrid temper turns, as soon as stirr'd,… — William Cowper Despair Copy Share Image
Friends, books, a garden, and perhaps his pen, Delightful industry enjoy'd at home, An Nature, in her cultivated trim Dress'ed to his… — William Cowper Book Copy Share Image
Hast thou not learnd what thou art often told, A truth still sacred, and believed of old, That no success attends on… — William Cowper Art Copy Share Image
And hast thou sworn on every slight pretence, Till perjuries are common as bad pence, While thousands, careless of the damning sin,… — William Cowper Book Copy Share Image
Dejection of spirits, which may have prevented many a man from becoming an author, made me one. I find constant employment necessary,… — William Cowper Becoming Copy Share Image
But war's a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings should not play at. Nations would do well To extort their truncheons… — William Cowper Baby Copy Share Image
True modesty is a discerning grace And only blushes in the proper place; But counterfeit is blind, and skulks through fear, Where… — William Cowper Blind Copy Share Image
What is it but a map of busy life, Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns? — William Cowper Busy Copy Share Image
