Admirals extolled for standing still

Quote byWilliam Cowper · 1731–1800

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Table Talk (1782), Line 192.

English (original)

Admirals extolled for standing still, Or doing nothing with a deal of skill.

— William Cowper

22310

Man disobeys, and deity disowns me.

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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.

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Damned below Judas; more abhorred than he was.

3430

Beware of desp'rate steps! The darkest day (Live till tomorrow) will have passed away.

4990

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, And frustrate hope severer than despair.

3860

Oh! I could thresh his old jacket till I made his pension jingle in his pockets.

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