George Herbert Quotes

Better a bare foote then none.

Go not for every grief to the physician, nor for every quarrell to the lawyer, nor for every thirst to the pot.

Fine dressing is a foule house swept before the doores.

Who goes to bed, and doth not pray, Maketh two nights to every day!

Envy not greatness: for thou mak'st thereby Thyself the worse, and so the distance greater.

Service without reward is punishment.

A garden must be looked unto and dressed as the body.

Spectacles are deaths Harquebuze. [Spectacles are death's arquebuse.]

Corn is cleaned with wind, and the Soul with chastening

If all fooles wore white Caps, wee should seeme a flock of geese.

He pares his apple that will cleanly feed.

Trust not one night's ice.

In solitude, be a multitude to thyself.

Listen, sweet Dove, unto my song, And spread thy golden wings in me; Hatching my tender heart so long, Till it get wing, and flie away with Thee.

Destiny is always dark.

The science of the modern school ... is in effect ... the acquisition of imperfectly analyzed misstatements about entrails, elements, and electricity.

A cherefull looke makes a dish a feast.

Hee that is a master must serve (another).

Little pitchers have wide eares. [Little pitchers have wide ears.]

Good and quickly seldom meet.

A Dwarfe on a Gyants shoulder sees further of the two. [A dwarf on a giant's shoulder sees farther of the two.

Of the smells, bread; of the tastes, salt.

Great Fortune brings with it Great misfortune.

The Apothecaries morter spoiles the Luters musick.

A wolfe will never make war against another wolfe.

If thou do ill, the joy fades, not the pains. If well, the pain doth fade, the joy remains.

Let thy mind still be bent, still plotting, where, And when, and how thy business may be done. Slackness breeds worms; but the sure traveller, Though he alights sometimes still goeth on.

He hath no leisure who useth it not.

Get to live; Then live, and use it; else, it is not true That thou hast gotten. Surely use alone Makes money not a contemptible stone.

The chicken is the country's, but the city eats it.

Neither praise nor dispraise thy selfe, thy actins serve the turne. [Neither praise nor dispraise thyself; thy actions serve the turn.]

Some evils are cured by contempt.

The first and last frosts are the worst.

A litle wind kindles; much puts out the fire.

He is not poore that hath little, but he that desireth much.

The Wolfe must dye in his owne skinne.

That from small fires comes oft no small mishap.

The fineness which a hymn or psalm affords If when the soul unto the lines accords.

Every sin brings its punishment with it.

Persons unmask their evilest qualities when they do quarrel.

Who is so deafe, as he that will not hear?

The Catt sees not the mouse ever.

Hee that is in a towne in May loseth his spring.

In great pedigrees there are Governours and Chandlers.

To a crazy ship, all winds are contrary.

When the Foxe preacheth, beware geese.

He that knows nothing doubts nothing.

Take heede of still waters, the quick passe away.

He that gives me small gifts would have me live.

Punishment is lame, but it comes.