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

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

Destiny is always dark.
—George Herbert
Topics: Destiny

There is great force hidden in a gentle command.
—George Herbert
Topics: Leaders, Leadership

Great business turns on a little pin.
—George Herbert
Topics: Business

Help thyself, and God will help thee.
—George Herbert
Topics: Self-reliance, Help

Three helping one another bear the burden of six.
—George Herbert
Topics: Proverbs, Helping, Help

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

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

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

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

A snow year, a rich year.
—George Herbert
Topics: Aging

One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters.
—George Herbert
Topics: Mother, Mothers, Mothers Day, Motherhood, One liners

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

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

The ignorant hath an eagle’s wings and an owl’s eyes.
—George Herbert
Topics: Ignorance

He that respects not is not respected.
—George Herbert
Topics: Respect

Lie not, neither to thyself, nor man, nor God.—It is for cowards to lie.
—George Herbert
Topics: Lying

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
Topics: Victory

When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gifts

A man of great memory without learning hath a rock and a spindle and no staff to spin.
—George Herbert
Topics: Memory

Play not for gain, but sport; who plays for more than he can lose with pleasure stakes his heart.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gambling

Gluttony kills more than the sword.
—George Herbert
Topics: Eating

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

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

Be not too presumptuously sure in any business; for things of this world depend on such a train of unseen chances that if it were in man’s hands to set the tables, still he would not be certain to win the game.
—George Herbert
Topics: Chance

The life of spies is to know, not to be known.
—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: Self-Knowledge, Reflection

One sword keeps another in the sheath.
—George Herbert
Topics: Peace

A garden must be looked into, and dressed as the body.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gardening, Garden, Gardens

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