Quote#God & Faith
Ah! what avail the largest gifts of Heaven
Quote byJames Thomson · 1700–1748
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Castle of Indolence (1748), Canto II, Stanza 55.
English (original)
Ah! what avail the largest gifts of Heaven, When drooping health and spirits go amiss? How tasteless then whatever can be given! Health is the vital principle of bliss, And exercise, of health.
— James Thomson
More from James Thomson
When Britain first, at Heaven's command, Arose from out the azure main, This was the charter of the land, And guardian angels sung this strain: 'Rule, Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.'
Whoe'er amidst the sons Of reason, valour, liberty, and virtue Displays distinguish'd merit, is a noble Of Nature's own creating.
At the throng'd levee bends the venal tribe: With fair but faithless smiles each varnish'd o'er, Each smooth as those that mutually deceive, And for their falsehood each despising each.
O Sophonisba! Sophonisba, O!
Forever, Fortune, wilt thou prove An unrelenting foe to love, And, when we meet a mutual heart, Come in between and bid us part?
These as they change, Almighty Father! these Are but the varied God. The rolling year Is full of Thee.