George Herbert (1593–1633) was a Welch-born British Anglican priest and Metaphysical poet. His works are distinguished for his spiritually-resonant expressions and his grappling with Christian doctrines and relationship with God.
Born in Montgomery, Wales, Herbert got his education at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He became a university orator 1620–27, before turning to the church under the influence of Archbishop William Laud of Canterbury.
Herbert became ordained in 1630 and was inducted at Bemerton, near Salisbury. He concentrated his remaining years to his rural parish and the reconstruction of his church. After his tragic, early death from tuberculosis, his poetry was published, and Herbert became accepted beyond his inner circle.
Herbert’s only prose work is The Priest to the Temple, also called The Country Parson. It contained guidance for the ideal Anglican pastoral ministry and was published in his Remains (1652.)
All of Herbert’s sacred poetry and religious lyrics are included in The Temple, Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations (1633.) His portrayal of spiritual conflicts and the emotional engagement between his soul and God influenced other Metaphysical poets such as Richard Crashaw and Henry Vaughan.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George Herbert
The death of wolves is the safety of the sheep.
—George Herbert
Topics: Safety
Take all that is given whether wealth, love or language, nothing comes by mistake and with good digestion all can be turned to health.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gifts
One father is enough to govern one hundred sons, but not a hundred sons one father.
—George Herbert
Topics: Father
Never was a miser a brave soul.
—George Herbert
Topics: Misery, Money
He begins to die that quits his desires.
—George Herbert
Topics: Desires
Sum up at night what thou hast done by day, and in the morning what thou hast to do.—Dress and undress thy soul; mark the decay and growth of it.—If with thy watch, that too be down, then wind up both; since we shall be most surely judged, make thine accounts agree.
—George Herbert
Topics: Reflection, Self-Knowledge
A garden must be looked into, and dressed as the body.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gardening, Garden, Gardens
Dare to be true; nothing can need a lie; a fault which needs it most grows two thereby.
—George Herbert
Topics: Truth
Love, and a cough, cannot be hid.
—George Herbert
Topics: Love
He that labors and thrives spins gold.
—George Herbert
Topics: Work
If I have but enough for myself and family, I am steward only for myself and them; if I have more, I am but a steward of that abundance for others.
—George Herbert
Topics: Riches
Of the smells, bread; of the tastes, salt.
—George Herbert
A tyrant is most tyrant to himself
—George Herbert
Every mile is two in winter.
—George Herbert
Topics: Winter
A verse may find him who a sermon flies.
—George Herbert
Topics: Quotations
God’s mill grinds slow but sure.
—George Herbert
Topics: Justice
Storms make the oak grow deeper roots.
—George Herbert
Topics: Difficulty, Difficulties
There would be no great men if there were no little ones.
—George Herbert
Topics: Greatness, Greatness & Great Things
Hell is full of good meanings and wishings.
—George Herbert
Topics: Hell
Be thrifty, but not covetous.
—George Herbert
Topics: Economy, Thrift, Economics
Spend not on hopes.
—George Herbert
Thou has given me so much… Give me one thing more, a grateful heart.
—George Herbert
Topics: Thankfulness
A gift much expected is paid, not given.
—George Herbert
Topics: Giving
A cherefull look makes a dish a feast.
—George Herbert
Topics: One liners, Eating
Take the gentle path.
—George Herbert
Topics: Mercy
Sometimes the best gain is to lose.
—George Herbert
Topics: Failure, Wealth
Three helping one another bear the burden of six.
—George Herbert
Topics: Proverbs, Help, Helping
Great business turns on a little pin.
—George Herbert
Topics: Business
Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, – a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gratitude
When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gifts
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