Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
An idler is a watch that wants both hands; As useless if it goes as when it stands. — William Cowper 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
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
Forgot the blush that virgin fears impart To modest cheeks, and borrowed one from art. — William Cowper Art Copy Share Image
To follow foolish precedents, and wink With both our eyes, is easier than to think. — William Cowper 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 Copy Share Image
Pity! Religion has so seldom found A skilful guide into poetic ground! The flowers would spring where'er she deign'd to stray And… — William Cowper Flower 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 Copy Share Image
O solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Meditation here may think down hours to moments. Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head and learning wiser… — William Cowper Books Copy Share Image
They best can judge a poet's worth, Who oft themselves have known The pangs of a poetic birth By labours of their… — William Cowper Birth 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 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
God never meant that man should scale the Heavens By strides of human wisdom. In his works, Though wondrous, he commands us… — William Cowper 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 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 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
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
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
Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no more. — William Cowper Humble Copy Share Image
What is it but a map of busy life, Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns? — William Cowper Copy Share Image
