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27 Thought-Provoking Quotes By George Herbert On Religion And Living Well

Famous As: Poet recognized as one of the foremost British devotional lyricists
Born On: April 3, 1593
Died On: March 1, 1633
Born In: Montgomery, Wales
Died At Age: 39
George Herbert was a Welsh-born poet and priest. He was born in a wealthy family and was a sibling to the famous poet and philosopher Edward Herbert. After completing his bachelor’s degree from Trinity College he was appointed as an orator at the Cambridge University. He worked there for a long period before becoming the Member of Parliament Montgomeryshire. His aspirations to build a career at court were crushed due to the untimely death of his connections in the noble circle. This turned him towards priesthood and he became a pastor of Bremerton. During this period he preached Christianity and also wrote several poems based on religion. He wrote his first collection of poems called ‘The Temple’. His most notable work was ‘Easter Wings’. His religious poems have been adapted by various songwriters. His books, poems, teachings and other writings have become popular quotations and are frequently quoted by people. We have excerpted his quotes from his work, speeches and life. Go through the compilation of quotes and sayings by George Herbert.
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The best mirror is an old friend.

The best mirror is an old friend.

George Herbert
Living well is the best revenge.

Living well is the best revenge.

George Herbert
Woe be to him that reads but one book.

Woe be to him that reads but one book.

George Herbert
Storms make oaks take deeper root.

Storms make oaks take deeper root.

George Herbert
Life is half spent before we know what it is.

Life is half spent before we know what it is.

George Herbert
The shortest answer is doing.

The shortest answer is doing.

George Herbert
He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.

He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.

George Herbert
A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread.

A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread.

George Herbert
Every mile is two in winter

Every mile is two in winter

George Herbert
He begins to die, that quits his desires.

He begins to die, that quits his desires.

George Herbert
Who says that fictions only and false hair
Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauty?
Is all good structure in a winding stair?

Who says that fictions only and false hair Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauty? Is all good structure in a winding stair?

George Herbert
Love and a cough cannot be hid.

Love and a cough cannot be hid.

George Herbert
Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

George Herbert
Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky;
The dew shall weep thy fall tonight,

For thou must die.

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridal of the earth and sky; The dew shall weep thy fall tonight, For thou must die.

George Herbert
Every path hath a puddle.

Every path hath a puddle.

George Herbert
But I am lost in flesh, whose sugared lies,
Still mock me and grow bold:
Sure thou didst put a mind there, if I could
Find where it lies.

But I am lost in flesh, whose sugared lies, Still mock me and grow bold: Sure thou didst put a mind there, if I could Find where it lies.

George Herbert
Be calm in arguing: for fierceness makes 
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

Be calm in arguing: for fierceness makes Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

George Herbert
Love bade me welcome; 
yet my soul drew back,
Guiltie of dust and sin.

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guiltie of dust and sin.

George Herbert
Love is swift of foot;/Love's a man of war.

Love is swift of foot;/Love's a man of war.

George Herbert
Man is no star, but a quick coal

Of mortal fire:
Who blows it not, nor doth control

A faint desire,

Man is no star, but a quick coal Of mortal fire: Who blows it not, nor doth control A faint desire,

George Herbert
The God of love my shepherd is,            And he that doth me feed: While he is mine, and I am his,            What can I want or need?

The God of love my shepherd is,            And he that doth me feed: While he is mine, and I am his,            What can I want or need?

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

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

George Herbert
The market is the best garden.

The market is the best garden.

George Herbert
For if I wimp my wing on thine. Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

For if I wimp my wing on thine. Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

George Herbert
Peace, prattler.

Peace, prattler.

George Herbert
Good words are worth much, and cost little.

Good words are worth much, and cost little.

George Herbert
For, if I imp my wing on thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

For, if I imp my wing on thine, Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

George Herbert