Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by William Cowper (English Anglican Poet)

William Cowper (1731–1800) was a British poet and hymn-writer. Often recognized as a “transitional” writer, he anticipated the attitudes and subjects of Romantic and Victorian authors.

Born in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, Cowper was educated at Westminster School. He studied law and was called to the Bar in 1754, but did not practice. He showed signs of insanity—in 1763, he tried to commit suicide and was sent to a sanatorium.

Together with the evangelical minister John Newton, Cowper wrote the Olney Hymns (1779,) to which Cowper contributed some hymns. His well-known hymns, including “There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood,” “God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” and “Oh for a Closer Walk with God” have become standards of the Anglican Church.

Cowper’s other works include the ballad ‘John Gilpin’ (1783,) ‘Castaway,’ The Task (1785,) an intimate sketch of rural life, and translations including poet John Milton’s Latin poems.

Cowper is generally regarded as the poet of the evangelical revival and as the precursor of William Wordsworth as a poet of nature. Novelist Jane Austen’s characters often quote some of Cowper’s poems.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William Cowper

He comes, the herald of a noisy world, news from all nations lumbering at his back; a messenger of grief perhaps to thousands, and a joy to some.
—William Cowper
Topics: News

Like Eden’s dead probationary tree, Knowledge of good and evil is from thee.
—William Cowper
Topics: Journalism

The rich are too indolent, the poor too weak, to bear the insupportable fatigue of thinking.
—William Cowper
Topics: Thought

The kindest and the happiest pair, will find occasion to forbear; find something every day they live, to pity, and perhaps forgive.
—William Cowper
Topics: Marriage

The parson knows enough who knows a Duke.
—William Cowper
Topics: Religion, Churches

The path of sorrow, and that path alone, leads to the land where sorrow is unknown; no traveller ever reached that blessed abode who found not thorns and briers in his road.
—William Cowper
Topics: Sorrow, Acceptance, Sadness

I would not enter on my list of friends the man who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.
—William Cowper
Topics: Cruelty

The lie that flatters I abhor the most.
—William Cowper
Topics: Flattery

A man renowned for repartee will seldom scruple to make free with friendship’s finest feeling, will thrust a dagger at your breast, and say he wounded you in jest, by way of balm for healing.
—William Cowper
Topics: Humor, Wit

My soul is sick with every day’s report of wrong and outrage with which earth is filled.
—William Cowper

Labor was the primal curse, but it was softened into mercy, and made the pledge of cheerful days, and nights without a groan.
—William Cowper
Topics: Labor

Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.
—William Cowper
Topics: Purpose, Happiness

Fate steals along with silent tread, Found oftenest in what least we dread; Frowns in the storm with angry brow, But in the sunshine strikes the blow.
—William Cowper
Topics: Fate

A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.
—William Cowper
Topics: Happiness, Living, Life, Idleness, Laziness

No wild enthusiast ever yet could rest, till half mankind were, like himself, possest.
—William Cowper
Topics: Enthusiasm

They lived unknown, till persecution dragged them into fame, and chased them up to heaven. Their ashes flew no marble tells us whither. With their names no bard embalms and sanctifies his song: and history, so warm on meaner things, is cold on this.
—William Cowper

A shallow brain, behind a serious mask; an oracle within an empty cask—the solemn fop!
—William Cowper

If a great man struggling with misfortunes is a noble object, a little man that despises them is no contemptible one.
—William Cowper
Topics: Misfortune

An idler is a watch that wants both hands; As useless if it goes as when it stands.
—William Cowper
Topics: Idleness

God made the country and man made the town.
—William Cowper
Topics: Nationality, Nations, Nationalism, Nation

Events of all sorts creep or fly exactly as God pleases.
—William Cowper
Topics: Events

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair.
—William Cowper
Topics: Absence, Romance

If my resolution to be a great man was half so strong as it is to despise the shame of being a little one … .
—William Cowper
Topics: Attitude

Once more I would adopt the graver style—a teacher should be sparing of his smile.
—William Cowper
Topics: Teaching, Teachers

A fretful temper will divide the closest knot that may be tied, by ceaseless sharp corrosion; a temper passionate and fierce may suddenly your joys disperse at one immense explosion.
—William Cowper
Topics: Anger, Temper

Religion! what treasure untold resides in that heavenly word!
—William Cowper
Topics: Religion

Remorse begets reform.
—William Cowper
Topics: Difficulties, Remorse, Adversity

Not rural sights alone, but rural sounds exhilarate the spirits, and restore the tone of languid nature. Mighty winds, that sweep the skirts of some far-spreading wood of ancient growth, make music not unlike the dash of ocean on his winding shore, and lull the spirit while they fill the mind.
—William Cowper
Topics: Country

O popular applause! what heart of man is proof against thy sweet seducing charms? The wisest and the best feel urgent need of all their caution in thy gentlest gales; but swell’d into a gust—who then, alas! with all his canvas set, and inexpert, and therefore heedless, can withstand thy power?
—William Cowper
Topics: Applause, Praise, Popularity

Great offices will have great talents, and God gives to every man the virtue, temper, understanding, taste, that lifts him into life, and lets him fall just in the niche he was ordained to fill.
—William Cowper
Topics: Life, Talent

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