George Herbert

He that is not handsome at 20, nor strong at 30, nor rich at 40, nor wise at 50, will never be handsome, strong, rich or wise.

— George Herbert

Drink not the third glass, which thou canst not tame, when once it is within thee.

— George Herbert

None knows the weight of another's burden.

— George Herbert

The resolved mind hath no cares.

— George Herbert

A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.

— 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

He who has the pepper may season as he lists.

— George Herbert

In conversation, humor is worth more than wit and easiness more than knowledge.

— George Herbert

Storms make the oak grow deeper roots.

— George Herbert

Deceive not thy physician, confessor, nor lawyer.

— George Herbert

He that knows nothing doubts nothing.

— George Herbert

Be thrifty, but not covetous.

— George Herbert

One enemy is too much.

— George Herbert

Sometimes the best gain is to lose.

— George Herbert

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.

— George Herbert

He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.

— George Herbert

A garden must be looked into, and dressed as the body.

— George Herbert

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

Throw away thy rod, throw away thy wrath; O my God, take the gentle path.

— George Herbert

There would be no great men if there were no little ones.

— George Herbert

It is part of a poor spirit to undervalue himself and blush.

— George Herbert

Spend not on hopes.

— George Herbert

The eyes have one language everywhere.

— George Herbert

There is great force hidden in a gentle command.

— George Herbert

A man of great memory without learning hath a rock and a spindle and no staff to spin.

— George Herbert

Never was a miser a brave soul.

— George Herbert

Night is the mother of counsels.

— George Herbert

He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea.

— George Herbert

One sword keeps another in the sheath.

— George Herbert

Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.

— George Herbert

Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.

— George Herbert

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

In solitude, be a multitude to thyself. Tibullus by all means use sometimes to be alone.

— George Herbert

Better never begin than never make an end.

— George Herbert

A dwarf on a giant's shoulders sees the further of the two.

— George Herbert

Time is the rider that breaks youth.

— George Herbert

One father is enough to governe one hundred sons, but not a hundred sons one father.

— George Herbert

Rise, heart; Thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delays, Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise With him mayst rise; That, as His death calcined thee to dust, His life make thee gold, and, much more, just.

— George Herbert

Thou that hast giv'n so much to me, Give one thing more, a gratefull heart.

— George Herbert

The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? My God, no hymne for thee? My soul's a shepherd too; a flock it feeds Of thoughts, and words, and deeds. The pasture is thy word; the streams, thy grace Enriching all the place.

— George Herbert

They talke of Christmas so long, that it comes.

— George Herbert

O day most calm, most bright, The fruit of this, the next worlds bud, Th'indorsement of supreme delight, Writ by a friend, and with his bloud; The couch of time; cares balm and bay: The week were dark, but for thy light.

— George Herbert

The Country Parson, as soon as he awakes on Sunday morning, presently falls to work, and seems to himselfe so as a Market-man is, when the Market day comes, or a shopkeeper, when customers use to come in. His thoughts are full of making the best of the day, and contriving it to his best gaines.

— George Herbert

February makes a bridge and March breakes it.

— George Herbert

Hee that is in a towne in May loseth his spring.

— George Herbert

Sweet spring, full of sweet dayes and roses, A box where sweets compacted lie; My musick shows ye have your closes, And all must die.

— George Herbert

Autumnall Agues are long, or mortall.

— George Herbert

He that passeth a winters day escapes an enemy.

— George Herbert

He that hath children, all his morsels are not his owne.

— George Herbert

Infants manners are moulded more by the example of Parents, then by stars at their nativities.

— George Herbert

God heales, and the Physitian hath the thankes.

— George Herbert

The Physicians told me that yet there was one help for me, if I could constantly pursue it, to wit, A sober and orderly life : for this had every way great force for the recovering and preserving of Health, as a disorderly life to the overthrowing of it; as I too wel by experience found. For Temperance preserves even old men and sickly men sound: But Intemperance destroyes most healthy and flourishing constitutions.

— George Herbert

Old wine, and an old friend, are good provisions.

— George Herbert

The best smell is bread, the best savour, salt, the best love that of children.

— George Herbert

That is not good language which all understand not.

— George Herbert

He that hath lost his credit is dead to the world.

— George Herbert

Dry bread at home is better than roast meate abroad.

— George Herbert

The time of every ones first receiving is not so much by yeers, as by understanding: particularly, the rule may be this: When any one can distinguish the Sacramentall from common bread, knowing the Institution, and the difference, hee ought to receive of what age soever. Children and youths are usually deferred too long, under pretence of devotion to the Sacrament, but it is for want of Instruction; their understandings being ripe enough for ill things, and why not then for better? But Parents and Masters should make hast in this, as to a great purchase for their children, and servants, which while they deferr, both sides suffer; the one, in wanting many excitings of grace; the other, in being worse served and obeyed.

— George Herbert

Marry a widdow before she leave mourning.

— George Herbert