Inspirational Quotes by George Herbert (Welsh Anglican Poet)

Inspirational Quotations by George Herbert (Welsh Anglican Poet)

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

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

A cherefull look makes a dish a feast.
—George Herbert
Topics: Eating, One liners

Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.
—George Herbert
Topics: Winning, Ability, Talent, Assurance, Confidence

A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.
—George Herbert
Topics: Compromise

A tyrant is most tyrant to himself
—George Herbert

A gift much expected is paid, not given.
—George Herbert
Topics: Giving

He that lives in hope danceth without musick.
—George Herbert
Topics: Hope

Pursue not a victory too far. He hath conquered well that hath made his enemy fly; thou mayest beat him to a desperate resistance, which may ruin thee.
—George Herbert

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.
—George Herbert
Topics: Fathers, Family, One liners

Life is half spent before we know what it is.
—George Herbert
Topics: Life, Time, Spending time wisely, Time Management

Never was a miser a brave soul.
—George Herbert
Topics: Money

No sooner is a temple built to God, but the devil builds a chapel hard by.
—George Herbert

All things require skill, but an appetite.
—George Herbert

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

He that labors and thrives spins gold.
—George Herbert
Topics: Work

Sometimes the best gain is to lose.
—George Herbert
Topics: Wealth, Failure

Destiny is always dark.
—George Herbert
Topics: Destiny

It is part of a poor spirit to undervalue himself and blush.
—George Herbert
Topics: Inferiority

Be thrifty, but not covetous.
—George Herbert
Topics: Economics, Thrift

Praise the sea, but keep on the land.
—George Herbert

All are presumed good till they are found at fault.
—George Herbert
Topics: Justice

The eyes have one language everywhere.
—George Herbert
Topics: Language

The resolved mind hath no cares.
—George Herbert
Topics: Commitment

Take the gentle path.
—George Herbert

The love of learning and the love of money rarely meet.
—George Herbert
Topics: Learning

By all means use sometimes to be alone. Salute thyself: see what thy soul doth wear. Dare to look in thy chest; for ‘Tis thine own: And tumble up and down what thou findst there. Who cannot rest till he good fellows find, he breaks up house, turns out of doors his mind.
—George Herbert
Topics: Self-Discovery, Solitude, Self-improvement

A drunkards purse is a bottle.
—George Herbert
Topics: Drunkenness

The best mirror is an old friend.
—George Herbert
Topics: Appearance, Work, Friendship, One liners

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie: A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby.
—George Herbert
Topics: Honesty

God’s mill grinds slow but sure.
—George Herbert
Topics: Justice