George Crabbe Quotes

Deceivers are the most dangerous members of society. They trifle with the best affections of our nature, and violate the most sacred obligations.

From powerful causes spring the empiric's gains, Man's love of life, his weakness, and his pains; These first induce him the vile trash to try, Then lend his name, that other men may buy.

Better to love amiss than nothing to have loved.

Oh, rather give me commentators plain, Who with no deep researches vex the brain; Who from the dark and doubtful love to run, And hold their glimmering tapers to the sun.

An infatuated man is not only foolish, but wild.

Void of all honor, avaricious, rash, The daring tribe compound their boasted trash Tincture of syrup, lotion, drop, or pill; All tempt the sick to trust the lying bill.

Habit with him was all the test of truth; It must be right: I've done it from my youth.

In idle wishes, fools supinely stay. Be there a will and wisdom finds a way.

The coward never on himself relies, But to an equal for assistance flies.

Anger makes us strong, Blind and impatient, And it leads us wrong; The strength is quickly lost; We feel the error long.

A great lie is like a great fish on dry land; it may fret and fling and make a frightful bother, but it cannot hurt you. You have only to keep still, and it will die of itself.

Through the sharp air a flaky torrent flies, Mocks the slow sight, and hides the gloomy skies; The fleecy clouds their chilly bosoms bare, And shed their substance on the floating air.

Our farmers round, well pleased with constant gain, like other farmers, flourish and complain.

To show the world what long experience gains, requires not courage, though it calls for pains; but at life's outset to inform mankind is a bold effort of a valiant mind.

Fears of sinning let in thoughts of sin.

In this wild world the fondest and the best Are the most tried, most troubled and distress'd.

But monument themselves memorials need.

With eye upraised his master's look to scan, The joy, the solace, and the aid of man: The rich man's guardian and the poor man's friend, The only creature faithful to the end.

That all men would be cowards if they dare, Some men we know have courage to declare.

Experience finds few of the scenes that lively hope designs.

Arrogance is the act of the great; presumption that of the little.

Wine, like the rising sun, possession gains, And drives the mist of dullness from the brains, The gloomy vapor from the spirit flies, And views of gaiety and gladness rise.

In general satire, every man perceives A slight attack, yet neither fears nor grieves.

Temp'rate in every place--abroad, at home, Thence will applause, and hence will profit come; And health from either--he in time prepares For sickness, age, and their attendant cares.

Learning is better worth than houses or land.

Old Peter Grimes made fishing his employ; His wife he cabined with him and his boy, And seemed that life laborious to enjoy.

Ease leads to habit, as success to ease. He lives by rule who lives himself to please.

Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend, Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend; But if he will thy friendly checks forego, Thou art, oh! woe for me, his deadliest foe!

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

Books cannot always please, however good; Minds are not ever craving for their food.

Tis easiest dealing with the firmest mind-- More just when it resists, and, when it yields, more kind.

A sly old fish, too cunning for the hook.

A master passion is the love of news.

Against her foes Religion well defends Her sacred truths, but often fears her friends.

What is a church?—Our honest sexton tells, 'Tis a tall building, with a tower and bells.

Ability comprehends the power of doing in general, without specifying the quality or degree.

'T was good advice, and meant, my son, Be good.

Secrets with girls, like guns with boys, are never valued till they make a noise.

He tried the luxury of doing good.

Circles in water as they wider flow The less conspicuous in their progress grow, And when at last they trench upon the shore, Distinction ceases and they're view'd no more.

Some hearts are hidden, some have not a heart.

Who calls a lawyer rogue, may find, too lateUpon one of these depends his whole estate.

Oh how the passions, insolent and strong, Bear our weak minds their rapid course along; Make us the madness of their will obey; Then die and leave us to our griefs as prey!

Lo! the poor toper whose untutored sense, Sees bliss in ale, and can with wine dispense; Whose head proud fancy never taught to steer, Beyond the muddy ecstasies of beer.

Feed the musician, and he's out of tune.

Her air, her manners, all who saw admir'd; Courteous though coy, and gentle though retir'd; The joy of youth and health her eyes display'd, And ease of heart her every look convey'd.

Good is done by degrees.

Impertinence will intermeddle in things in which it has no concern, showing a want of breeding, or, more commonly, a spirit of sheer impudence.

We cannot heal the throbbing heart till we discern the wounds within.

Let's learn to live, for we must die alone.