George Herbert
» Age and Aging » “He that is not handsome at 20, nor strong at 30, nor rich at 40, nor wise at 50, will never be handsome, strong, rich or wise.”
» Alcohol and Alcoholism » “Drink not the third glass, which thou canst not tame, when once it is within thee.”
» Burdens » “None knows the weight of another’s burden.”
» Commitment » “The resolved mind hath no cares.”
» Compromise » “A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.”
» Conditioning » “Lord, with what care hast Thou begirt us round! Parents first season us; then schoolmasters deliver us to laws; they send us bound to rules of reason, holy messengers, pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, bibles laid open, millions of surprises, blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, the sound of glory ringing in our ears: without, our shame; within, our consciences;” angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears. Yet all these fences and their whole array one cunning bosom-sin blows quite away.”
» Control » “He who has the pepper may season as he lists.”
» Conversation » “In conversation, humor is worth more than wit and easiness more than knowledge.”
» Difficulties » “Storms make the oak grow deeper roots.”
» Doctors » “Deceive not thy physician, confessor, nor lawyer.”
» Doubt » “He that knows nothing doubts nothing.”
» Economy and Economics » “Be thrifty, but not covetous.”
» Enemies » “One enemy is too much.”
» Failure » “Sometimes the best gain is to lose.”
» Fathers » “One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.”
» Forgiveness » “He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.”
» Gardening and Gardens » “A garden must be looked into, and dressed as the body.”
» Gifts » “Take all that is given whether wealth, love or language, nothing comes by mistake and with good digestion all can be turned to health.”
» God » “Throw away thy rod, throw away thy wrath; O my God, take the gentle path.”
» Greatness » “There would be no great men if there were no little ones.”
» Inferiority » “It is part of a poor spirit to undervalue himself and blush.”
» Investments » “Spend not on hopes.”
» Language » “The eyes have one language everywhere.”
» Leaders and Leadership » “There is great force hidden in a gentle command.”
» Memory » “A man of great memory without learning hath a rock and a spindle and no staff to spin.”
» Misers and Misery » “Never was a miser a brave soul.”
» Night » “Night is the mother of counsels.”
» Oceans » “He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea.”
» Peace » “One sword keeps another in the sheath.”
» Prayer » “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.”
» Skill » “Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.”
» Solitude » “In solitude, be a multitude to thyself. Tibullus by all means use sometimes to be alone.”
» Solitude » “By all means use sometimes to be alone. Salute thyself: see what thy soul doth wear. Dare to look in thy chest; for ‘Tis thine own: And tumble up and down what thou findst there. Who cannot rest till he good fellows find, he breaks up house, turns out of doors his mind.”
» Speakers and Speaking » “Better never begin than never make an end.”
» Teams and Teamwork » “A dwarf on a giant’s shoulders sees the further of the two.”
» Time and Time Management » “Time is the rider that breaks youth.”
