Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton

That man is great, and he alone, Who serves a greatness not his own.

Genius does what it must, and Talent does what it can.

I loved you ere I knew you: know you now, And, having known you, love you better still.

O be very sure That no man will learn anything at all, Unless he first will learn humility.

Unseen hands delay The coming of what seems close in ken, And, contrary, the moment when we say "'Twill never come!" comes on us even then.

But, however we pass Time, he passes still, Passing away whatever the pastime, And, whether we use him well or ill, Some day he gives us the slip for the last time.

Who seeks for aid Must show how service sought can be repaid.

Life is good; but not life in itself.

No life Can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife And all life not be purer and stronger thereby.

No star ever rose And set, without influence somewhere.

That's best Which God sends. 'Twas His will: it is mine.

As pure as a pearl, And as perfect: a noble and innocent girl.

'Tis more brave To live, than to die.

Thought alone is eternal.

There is purpose in pain, Otherwise it were devilish.

We are our own fates. Our deeds Are our doomsmen. Man's life was made not for men's creeds, But men's actions.

To all facts there are laws. The effect has its cause, and I mount to the cause.

In life there are meetings which seem Like a fate.

Alas! must it be ever so? Do we stand in our own light, wherever we go, And fight our own shadows forever?

Do not think that years leave us and find us the same!

Those true eyes Too pure and too honest in aught to disguise The sweet soul shining through them.

No true love can be without Its dread penalty—jealousy.

You know There are moments when silence, prolong'd and unbroken, More expressive may be than all words ever spoken.

There's no weapon that slays Its victim so surely (if well aim'd) as praise.