Quote#Poetry
But what is man in his own proud esteem?
Quote byWilliam Cowper · 1731–1800
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: "Truth", l. 403 (1782).
English (original)
But what is man in his own proud esteem? Hear him, himself the poet and the theme; A monarch clothed with majesty and awe, His mind his kingdom and his will his law.
— William Cowper
More from William Cowper
But oars alone can ne'er prevail To reach the distant coast; The breath of Heaven must swell the sail, Or all the toil is lost.
Beware of desp'rate steps! The darkest day (Live till tomorrow) will have passed away.
Damned below Judas; more abhorred than he was.
Man disobeys, and deity disowns me.
Absence from whom we love is worse than death, And frustrate hope severer than despair.
Oh! I could thresh his old jacket till I made his pension jingle in his pockets.