quote · Legacy record
Skeptic, whoe’er thou art, tell, if thou knowest, Why every nation, every clime, though all In laws, in rites, in manners disagree, With one consent expect another world Where wickedness shall weep? Why in each breast Is placed a friendly monitor, that prompts, Informs, directs, encourages, forbids? Tell, why on unknown evil grief attends, Or joy on secret good? Why Conscience acts With tenfold force, when sickness, age, or pain Stands tottering on the precipice of death? Or why such horror gnaws the guilty soul Of dying sinners, while the good man sleeps Peaceful and calm, and with a smile expires?
Skeptic, whoe’er thou art, tell, if thou knowest, Why every nation, every clime, though all In laws, in rites, in manners disagree, With one consent expect another world Where wickedness shall weep? Why in each breast Is placed a friendly monitor, that prompts, Informs, directs, encourages, forbids? Tell, why on unknown evil grief attends, Or joy on secret good? Why Conscience acts With tenfold force, when sickness, age, or pain Stands tottering on the precipice of death? Or why such horror gnaws the guilty soul Of dying sinners, while the good man sleeps Peaceful and calm, and with a smile expires?
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Glynn (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
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 274 · printed citation: Glynn · subject: GUILT
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.