Edward Young

For Rules, like Crutches, are a needful Aid to the Lame, tho' an impediment to the Strong.

There is something in Poetry beyond Prose-reason; there are Mysteries in it not to be explained, but admired; which render mere Prose-men Infidels to their Divinity.

Born Originals - how comes it to pass that we die Copies?

The course of Nature is the art of God.

An undevout astronomer is mad.

'T is elder Scripture, writ by God's own hand,— Scripture authentic! uncorrupt by man.

To frown at pleasure, and to smile in pain.

A man of pleasure is a man of pains.

The house of laughter makes a house of woe.

Prayer ardent opens heaven.

Truth never was indebted to a lie.

What ardently we wish we soon believe.

The man that blushes is not quite a brute.

And all may do what has by man been done.

Ambition! powerful source of good and ill!

Pygmies are pygmies still, though percht on Alps; And pyramids are pyramids in vales. Each man makes his own stature, builds himself. Virtue alone outbuilds the Pyramids; Her monuments shall last when Egypt’s fall.

Revere thyself, and yet thyself despise.

Death loves a shining mark, a signal blow.

The man of wisdom is the man of years.

That life is long which answers life's great end.

While man is growing, life is in decrease; And cradles rock us nearer to the tomb. Our birth is nothing but our death begun.

Like our shadows, Our wishes lengthen as our sun declines.

We see time’s furrows on another’s brow, And death intrench’d, preparing his assault; How few themselves in that just mirror see!

Early, bright, transient, chaste as morning dew, She sparkled, was exhal'd and went to heaven.