Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes 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

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

Love, and a cough, cannot be hid.
—George Herbert
Topics: Love

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

A tyrant is most tyrant to himself
—George Herbert

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

Better never begin than never make an end.
—George Herbert
Topics: Speaking, Speakers

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

Night is the mother of counsels.
—George Herbert
Topics: Night

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

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

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

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

Get money to live; then live and use it, else it is not true that thou hast gotten.—Surely use alone makes money not contemptible.
—George Herbert
Topics: Money

He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea.
—George Herbert
Topics: Water, One liners, Prayer

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

Drink not the third glass, which thou canst not tame, when once it is within thee.
—George Herbert
Topics: Alcohol, Alcoholism

Let thy mind’s sweetness have its operation upon thy body, thy clothes, and thy habitation.
—George Herbert

Destiny is always dark.
—George Herbert
Topics: Destiny

Hell is full of good meanings and wishings.
—George Herbert
Topics: Hell

He who has the pepper may season as he lists.
—George Herbert
Topics: Control

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

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

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

There would be no great men if there were no little ones.
—George Herbert
Topics: Greatness & Great Things, Greatness

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

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: Solitude, Self-improvement, Self-Discovery

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

Wine that cost nothing is digested before it be drunk.
—George Herbert
Topics: Drunkenness

A verse may find him who a sermon flies.
—George Herbert
Topics: Quotations

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

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