William Cowper Quotes

Nature is but a name for an effect, Whose cause is God.

But war’s a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings should not play at. Nations would do well To extort their truncheons from the puny hands Of heroes, whose infirm and baby minds Are gratified with mischief, and who spoil, Because men suffer it, their toy the world.

Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round, And, while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn Throws up a steamy column, and the cups, That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each, So let us welcome peaceful evening in.

Studious of laborious ease.

Detested sport, That owes its pleasure to another’s pain.

Defend me, therefore, common sense, say I, From reveries so airy, from the toil Of dropping buckets into empty wells,  And growing old in drawing nothing up!