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

Lord, with what care hast Thou begirt us round! Parents first season us; then schoolmasters deliver us to laws; they send us bound to rules of reason, holy messengers, pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, bibles laid open, millions of surprises, blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, the sound of glory ringing in our ears: without, our shame; within, our consciences; angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears. Yet all these fences and their whole array one cunning bosom-sin blows quite away.
—George Herbert
Topics: Journeys

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

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

A dwarf on a giant’s shoulders sees the further of the two.
—George Herbert
Topics: Teams, Teamwork

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

Every path hath a puddle.
—George Herbert
Topics: Adversity

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

A hundredload of worry will not pay an ounce of debt.
—George Herbert
Topics: One liners, Worry

A little given seasonably excuses a great gift.
—George Herbert
Topics: Gifts

Who hath no haste in his business, mountains to him seem valleys.
—George Herbert
Topics: Action

Destiny is always dark.
—George Herbert
Topics: Destiny

Without danger you cannot get beyond danger.
—George Herbert
Topics: Danger

Spend not on hopes.
—George Herbert

Throw away thy rod, throw away thy wrath; O my God, take the gentle path.
—George Herbert
Topics: Religion, God

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

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

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

Take the gentle path.
—George Herbert
Topics: Mercy

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

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

Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses, a box where sweets compacted lie.
—George Herbert
Topics: Spring

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

Knowledge is but folly unless it is guided by grace.
—George Herbert
Topics: Knowledge

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

Living well is the best revenge.
—George Herbert
Topics: Revenge

I struck the board, and cried, No more:
I will abroad.
What? shall I ever sigh and pine?
My lines and life are free; free as the road,
Loose as the wind, as large as store.
Shall I be still in suit?
Have I no harvest but a thorn
To let me blood, and not restore
What I have lost with cordial fruit?
Sure there was wine
Before my sighs did dry it; there was corn
Before my tears did drown it;
Is the year only lost to me?
Have I no bays to crown it?
—George Herbert
Topics: Wine