Richard Watson Gilder Quotes
Better than honor and glory, and History's iron pen, Was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men.
In the embers shining bright A garden grows for thy delight, With roses yellow, red, and white. But, O my child, beware, beware! Touch not the roses growing there, For every rose a thorn doth bear.
Against the darkness outer God's light his likeness takes, And he from the mighty doubter The great believer makes.
We lean on Faith; and some less wise have cried, "Behold the butterfly, the see that's cast!" Vain hopes that fall like flowers before the blast! What man can look on Death unterrified?
I am the laughter of the new-born child On whose soft-breathing sleep an angel smiled.
Fra Lippo, we have learned from thee A lesson of humanity: To every mother's heart forlorn, In every house the Christ is born.
Knights of the spirit; warriors in the cause Of justice absolute 'twixt man and man.
Since ancient Time began, Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden-- The weight of all this world, the hopes of man, Conflict and pain, and fame immortal are his guerdon.
Give me a theme," the little poet cried, "And I will do my part," "'Tis not a theme you need," the world replied; "You need a heart.
A man not perfect, but of heart so high, of such heroic rage, That even his hopes became a part of earth's eternal heritage.