Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

52 Beautiful Quotes By William Cowper To Ponder Over

Famous As: Poet
Born On: November 26, 1731
Died On: April 25, 1800
Born In: Berkhamsted
Died At Age: 68

One of the greatest poets and hymnodist from Britain, William Cowper revolutionized the art of nature poetry by depicting everyday life and scenery of English terrains. He was an ardent supporter of abolition of Slavery. Cowper, along with ideas from John Newton, created numerous anti-slavery hymns and poems which were later vehemently used by Martin Luther king Jr. in the anti-apartheid movement. His famous works include ‘Light Shining out of Darkness’, ‘The Negro's Complain’ and ‘Hymns by William Cowper’. In his other lesser known works, Cowper condemned the theory which supports economical viability of slavery. Cowper was also one of the kingpins of Romanticism movement prevalent during the 18th century England. His fellow contemporaries, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, have regarded him as "the best modern poet". We have collected some of his most notable quotes from his poems, and writings. His thoughts and sayings professed spirituality, righteousness, wisdom, happiness, patriotism, equality. Browse through these quotes from this prolific poet from 18th century Britain.

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God moves in mysterious ways
His wonders to performs

God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to performs

William Cowper
Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all it's flavour.

Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all it's flavour.

William Cowper
Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much. Wisdom is humble that he knows not more.

Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much. Wisdom is humble that he knows not more.

William Cowper
Satan trembles, when he sees the weakest Saint upon his knees.

Satan trembles, when he sees the weakest Saint upon his knees.

William Cowper
Knowledge dwells in heads replete with thoughts of other men; wisdom in minds attentive to their own.

Knowledge dwells in heads replete with thoughts of other men; wisdom in minds attentive to their own.

William Cowper
Nature is a good name for an effect whose cause is God.

Nature is a good name for an effect whose cause is God.

William Cowper
The darkest day if you live till tomorrow will have past away.

The darkest day if you live till tomorrow will have past away.

William Cowper
But it is a sort of April-weather life that we lead in this world. A little sunshine is generally the prelude to a storm.

But it is a sort of April-weather life that we lead in this world. A little sunshine is generally the prelude to a storm.

William Cowper
Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.

Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.

William Cowper
Sends Nature forth the daughter of the skies... To dance on earth, and charm all human eyes.

Sends Nature forth the daughter of the skies... To dance on earth, and charm all human eyes.

William Cowper
When we don't pray, we quit the fight. Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright. And Satan trembles when he sees. The weakest saint upon his knees.

When we don't pray, we quit the fight. Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright. And Satan trembles when he sees. The weakest saint upon his knees.

William Cowper
Still ending, and beginning still!

Still ending, and beginning still!

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

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

William Cowper
Ceremony leads her bigots forth, prepared to fight for shadows of no worth. While truths, on which eternal things depend, can hardly find a single friend.

Ceremony leads her bigots forth, prepared to fight for shadows of no worth. While truths, on which eternal things depend, can hardly find a single friend.

William Cowper
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.

William Cowper
The good we never miss we rarely prize

The good we never miss we rarely prize

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

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
A fool must now and then be right, by chance.

A fool must now and then be right, by chance.

William Cowper
No one was ever scolded out of their sins.

No one was ever scolded out of their sins.

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

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

William Cowper
God made the country, and man made the town.

God made the country, and man made the town.

William Cowper
Assail'd by scandal and the tongue of strife,
His only answer was, a blameless life.

Assail'd by scandal and the tongue of strife, His only answer was, a blameless life.

William Cowper
Remorse, the fatal egg that pleasure laid.

Remorse, the fatal egg that pleasure laid.

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

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

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

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

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

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

William Cowper
O solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.

O solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.

William Cowper
O, popular applause! what heart of man is proof against thy sweet, seducing charms?

O, popular applause! what heart of man is proof against thy sweet, seducing charms?

William Cowper
Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.

Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.

William Cowper
A self-made man? Yes, and one who worships his creator.

A self-made man? Yes, and one who worships his creator.

William Cowper