Reasoning at every step he treads

Quote byWilliam Cowper · 1731–1800

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: "The Doves", l. 1 (1780).

English (original)

Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, While meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.

— William Cowper

Man disobeys, and deity disowns me.

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.

Damned below Judas; more abhorred than he was.

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

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.