GHGeorge Herbert

185 collected words

George Herbert

Life dates: 1593 AD — 1632 AD

Listed in the author section of Bartlett’s ninth-edition anthology, in the linked 1905 printing. Dates reflect that historical edition and may differ from modern scholarship.

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Quotations and sayings

01c. 1612 AD

The way to make thy son rich is to fill / His mind with rest, before his trunk with riches.

George Herbert / quote

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02c. 1612 AD

There is great force hidden in a sweet command.

George Herbert / quote

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03c. 1612 AD

They that by pleading clothes / Do fortunes seek, when worth and service fail, / Would have their tale believed for their oaths, / And are like empty vessels under sail.

George Herbert / quote

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04c. 1612 AD

Thine own worm be not: yet such jealousy, As hurts not others, but may make thee better, / Is a good spur.

George Herbert / quote

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05c. 1612 AD

Things all are big with jest; nothing that's plain / But may be witty, if thou hast the vein ... / Many affecting wit beyond their power, / Have got to be a dear fool for an hour.

George Herbert / quote

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06c. 1612 AD

Think not thy fame at every twitch will break; / By great deeds show that thou canst little do; / And do them not; that shall thy wisdom be; / And change thy temperance into bravery.

George Herbert / quote

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07c. 1612 AD

Thy friend put in thy bosom; wear his eyes / Still in thy heart, that he may see what's there. / If cause require, thou art his sacrifice.... / But love is lost; the way of friendship's gone.

George Herbert / quote

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08c. 1612 AD

Tie up thy fears. / He that forbears / To suit and serve his need, / Deserves his load.

George Herbert / quote

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09c. 1612 AD

'Tis the part of a poor spirit to undervalue himself and blush.

George Herbert / quote

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10c. 1612 AD

To what they know best entice all neatly; / For so thou dost thyself and him a pleasure.

George Herbert / quote

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11c. 1612 AD

Towards great persons use respective boldness: / That temper gives them theirs, and yet doth take / Nothing from thine.

George Herbert / quote

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12c. 1612 AD

Truth dwells not in the clouds; the bow that's there / Doth often aim at, never hit the sphere.

George Herbert / quote

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13c. 1612 AD

Useful be where thou livest, that they may / Both want and wish thy pleasing presence still. / Kindness, good parts, great places, are the way / To compass this.

George Herbert / quote

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14c. 1612 AD

Wealth without contentment climbs a hill, / To feel those tempests which fly over ditches.

George Herbert / quote

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15c. 1612 AD

What house more stately hath there been, / Or can be, than is Man?

George Herbert / quote

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16c. 1612 AD

What skills it if a bag of stones or gold / About thy neck do drown thee? Raise thy head; / Take stars for money; stars not to be told / By any art, yet to be purchased.

George Herbert / quote

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17c. 1612 AD

When baseness is exalted, do not bate / The place its honour for the person's sake.

George Herbert / quote

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18c. 1612 AD

When thou dost purpose ought within thy power, / Be sure to do it, though it be but small.

George Herbert / quote

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19c. 1612 AD

Who cannot rest till he good fellows find, / He breaks up house, turns out of doors his mind.

George Herbert / quote

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20c. 1612 AD

Who follows all things forfeiteth his will.

George Herbert / quote

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21c. 1612 AD

Who keeps no guard upon himself is slack, / And rots to nothing at the next great thaw.

George Herbert / quote

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22c. 1612 AD

Who marks in church-time others' symmetry, / Makes all their beauty his deformity.

George Herbert / quote

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23c. 1612 AD

Who plays for more / Than he can lose with pleasure, stakes his heart.

George Herbert / quote

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24c. 1612 AD

Who say, I care not, those I give for lost; / And to instruct them, 'twill not quit the cost.

George Herbert / quote

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