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But what is Truth? ’Twas Pilate’s question, put To Truth itself, that deigned him no reply. And wherefore? Will not God impart His light To them that ask it? Freely,—’tis His joy, His glory, and His nature, to impart. But to the proud, uncandid, insincere, Our negligent enquirer, not a spark.

But what is Truth? ’Twas Pilate’s question, put To Truth itself, that deigned him no reply. And wherefore? Will not God impart His light To them that ask it? Freely,—’tis His joy, His glory, and His nature, to impart. But to the proud, uncandid, insincere, Our negligent enquirer, not a spark.

Approximate author period: c. 1765 AD · early modern

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Attribution & collection notes
Author or tradition
William Cowper
Attribution: attributed
Country attributed
Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.
Historical period
Approximate author period: c. 1765 AD · early modern
author lifetime midpoint (1731–1800)
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken.
Recorded source
A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)

Page 628 · printed citation: Cowper · subject: TRUTH

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