Sweet is the breath of vernal shower,
The bee’s collected treasures sweet,
Sweet music’s melting full, but sweeter yet
The still small voice of gratitude.
—Thomas Gray
Since sorrow never comes too late And happiness too swiftly flies.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Sorrow
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Dying, Death
Commerce changes the fate and genius of nations.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Economics, Economy
Thought would destroy their paradise.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Thoughts, Paradise, Thinking
Too poor for a bribe, and too proud to importune, he had not the method of making a fortune.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Poverty, The Poor
Youth smiles without any reason. It is one of its chiefest charms.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Smile
A favorite has no friend!
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Hypocrisy
Alas, regardless of their doom,
the little victims play!
No sense have they of ills to come,
Nor care beyond to-day.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Children
If the best man’s faults were written on his forehead, he would draw his hat over his eyes.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Faults, Perfection
Full many a gem of purest ray serene the dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear: full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Flowers
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Glory
Hard unkindness mocks the tear it forced to flow.
—Thomas Gray
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, and all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave, await alike the inevitable hour; the path of glory leads but to the grave.
—Thomas Gray
Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: One liners, Poetry
Where ignorance is bliss, ‘Tis folly to be wise.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Ignorance
Far from the madding crowd
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Insanity
The breezy call of incense-breathing morn.
—Thomas Gray
Topics: Morning
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Richard Crashaw British Poet
- Richard Eyre British Director
- George Sewell English Physician, Poet
- Arthur Henry Hallam English Essayist, Poet
- Ford Madox Ford English Novelist, Poet, Critic
- Robert Ranke Graves British Writer
- Al Alvarez English Critic, Poet, Novelist
- Leigh Hunt British Author
- Matthew Arnold English Poet, Critic
- Michael Drayton English Poet
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