Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Edward Young (English Poet)

Edward Young (1683–1765) was an English poet, critic, philosopher, and theologian. He is best remembered for The Complaint: or, Night Thoughts (1742–45,) a long, didactic poem on death.

Born in Upham rectory, Hampshire, Young was educated at Winchester, New College, and Corpus Christi College-Oxford, and in 1708, he received a law fellowship of All Souls-Oxford. His first poetic work appeared in 1712, an Epistle to George Granville on being created Lord Lansdowne.

Young produced three tragedies: Busiris, at Drury Lane (1719,) The Revenge (1721,) and The Brothers (1753.) His satires, The Love of Fame, the Universal Passion (1725–28,) brought financial reward as well as fame, and for The Instalment (1726,) a poem addressed to Sir Robert Walpole, he received a pension of £200 a year.

In 1724, Young took orders. In 1727, he was appointed a royal chaplain, and in 1730, he became rector of Welwyn. His The Complaint, or Night Thoughts on Life, Death and Immortality (1742–45,) usually known as Night Thoughts, and occasioned by his wife’s death and other sorrows, has many lines which have passed into proverbial use.

Henry Charles Shelby wrote the biography The Life and Letters of Edward Young (1912.)

READ: Works by Edward Young

Where, where for shelter shall the guilty fly,
When consternation turns the good man pale?
Edward Young
Topics: Guilt

If we did but know how little some enjoy of the great things that they possess, there would not be much envy in the world.
Edward Young
Topics: Envy

On the soft bed of luxury, most kingdoms have expired.
Edward Young
Topics: One liners, Luxury

Earth, turning from the sun, brings night to man.
Edward Young
Topics: Night

Faith lights us through the dark to Deity; faith builds a bridge across the gulf of death, to break the shock that nature cannot shun, and lands thought smoothly on the further shore.
Edward Young
Topics: Faith, Belief

Too low they build who build below the skies.
Edward Young
Topics: Ambition

I’ve lost a day—the prince who nobly cried, had been an emperor without his crown.
Edward Young
Topics: Day

Hope, of all passions, most befriends us here; joy has her tears, and transport has her death; hope, like a cordial, innocent though strong, man’s heart at once inspirits and serenes, nor makes him pay his wisdom for his joys.
Edward Young
Topics: Hope

There is ever a certain languor attending the fulness of prosperity. When the heart has no more to wish, it yawns over its possessions, and the energy of the soul goes out like a flame that has no more to devour.
Edward Young
Topics: Prosperity

The bell strikes one. We take no note of time, but from its loss. To give it then a tongue is wise in man. As if an angel spoke, I feel the solemn sound. If heard aright, it is the knell of my departed hours. Where are they? With the years beyond the flood. It is the signal that demands despatch; how much is to be done!
Edward Young
Topics: Time

Oh, how portentous is prosperity! how, comet-like, it threatens while it shines.
Edward Young
Topics: Prosperity

Much learning shows how little mortals know; much wealth, how little worldlings can enjoy.
Edward Young
Topics: Learning, Riches, Wealth

They build too low who build beneath the skies.
Edward Young
Topics: Ambition

Virtue alone has majesty in death.
Edward Young
Topics: Death, Dying

Know that without star or angel for their guide, they who worship God shall find him.—Humble love, and not proud reason keeps the door of heaven.—Love finds admission where proud science fails.
Edward Young
Topics: Love, Religion

Who would not give a trifle to prevent what he would give a thousand worlds to cure?
Edward Young

‘Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours and ask them what report they bore to heaven, and how they might have borne more welcome news.
Edward Young
Topics: Meditation

Earth’s highest station ends in “Here he lies;” and “Dust to dust” concludes the noblest songs.
Edward Young

Why wish for more?—Wishing of all employments is the worst.
Edward Young
Topics: Wishes

Tomorrow is the day when idlers work, and fools reform, and mortal men lay hold on heaven.
Edward Young
Topics: Virtue, The Future, Procrastination, Tomorrow, Courage

Poor is the friendless master of a world; a world in purchase of a friend is gain.
Edward Young
Topics: Friendship

The noontide sun is dark, and music discord, when the heart is low.
Edward Young

Man, know thyself; all wisdom centres there.
Edward Young
Topics: Self-Knowledge

We rise in glory as we sink in pride.
Edward Young
Topics: Pride

All men think that all men are mortal but themselves.
Edward Young
Topics: Death and Dying

The man who consecrates his hours by vigorous effort, and an honest aim, at once he draws the sting of life and Death; he walks with nature; and her paths are peace.
Edward Young
Topics: Peace

Amid my list of blessings infinite, stands this the foremost, “that my heart has bled.”
Edward Young
Topics: Trials

One to destroy, is murder by the law; to murder thousands takes a specious name—war’s glorious art, and gives immortal fame.
Edward Young
Topics: Murder

If wrong our hearts, our heads are right in vain.
Edward Young
Topics: Heart

It is falling in love with our own mistaken ideas that makes fools and beggars of half mankind.
Edward Young
Topics: Self-love

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *