Quote#Wisdom
He nothing common did or mean
Quote byAndrew Marvell · 1621–1678
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Miscellaneous Poems (1681), An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland, line 57.
English (original)
He nothing common did or mean Upon that memorable scene, But with his keener eye The axe's edge did try: Nor called the gods with vulgar spite To vindicate his helpless right, But bowed his comely head, Down as upon a bed.
— Andrew Marvell
More from Andrew Marvell
The world in all doth but two nations bear — The good, the bad; and these mixed everywhere.
An age at least to every part, And the last age should show your heart.
Art indeed is long, but life is short.
For though the whole world cannot show such another, Yet we’d better by far have him than his brother.
Had we but world enough, and time, This coyness, Lady, were no crime.
But at my back I always hear Time's wingèd chariot hurrying near; And yonder all before us lie Deserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found; Nor, in thy marble vault shall sound