William Cowper Quotes

A collection of quotes by William Cowper.

William Cowper was an influential English poet and hymnodist, born in 1731. Known for his deep introspection and intimate style of writing, Cowper played a significant role in Romantic literature. His works, such as The Task and John Gilpin, attested to his talent and marked a departure from the neoclassical traditions. Cowper's struggles with mental illness, including depression, often permeated his work, making him one of the forerunners in addressing emotional and mental health in poetry. His hymns, particularly "God Moves in a Mysterious Way," continue to be cherished and sung to this day. Cowper passed away in 1800.

Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little we owe i

Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.

A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.

A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.

Knowledge is proud that it knows so much wisdom is humble th

Knowledge is proud that it knows so much wisdom is humble that it knows no more.

Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all its flav

Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour.

Variety

Society friendship and love Divinely bestow'd upon man, O ha

Society friendship and love Divinely bestow'd upon man, O had I the wings of a dove How soon I would taste you again!

Love Friendship Society Man

Great contest follows, and much learned dust Involves the co

Great contest follows, and much learned dust Involves the combatants; each claiming truth, And truth disclaiming both.

Truth

For 'tis a truth well known to most, That whatsoever thing i

For 'tis a truth well known to most, That whatsoever thing is lost We seek it, ere it come to light, In every cranny but the right

Truth

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He pl

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.

God

Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse too.

Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse too.

Gardening

Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.

Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.

Wisdom

Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flav

Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.

Life

The earth was made so various, that the mind Of desultory ma

The earth was made so various, that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change, And pleased with novelty, might be indulged.

Change

Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive

Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay.

Positive

They whom truth and wisdom lead, can gather honey from a wee

They whom truth and wisdom lead, can gather honey from a weed.

Truth

Meditation here may think down hours to moments. Here the he

Meditation here may think down hours to moments. Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head and learning wiser grow without his books.

Learning

The path of sorrow and that path alone, leads to a land wher

The path of sorrow and that path alone, leads to a land where sorrow is unknown.

Sadness

Oh to have a lodge in some vast wilderness. Where rumors of

Oh to have a lodge in some vast wilderness. Where rumors of oppression and deceit, of unsuccessful and successful wars may never reach me anymore.

Solitude

I pity them greatly, but I must be mum, for how could we do

I pity them greatly, but I must be mum, for how could we do without sugar and rum?

Slavery

Absence of occupation is not rest; A mind quite vacant is a

Absence of occupation is not rest; A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.

Rest Leisure

Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior th

Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose.

Purpose