George Crabbe Quotes

Fears of sinning let in thoughts of sin.

Feed the musician, and he's out of tune.

A sly old fish, too cunning for the hook.

Deceivers are the most dangerous members of society. They trifle with the best affections of our nature, and violate the most sacred obligations.

A great lie is like a great fish on dry land; it may fret and fling and make a frightful bother, but it cannot hurt you. You have only to keep still, and it will die of itself.

Hence, in these times, untouch'd the pages lie, And slumber out their immortality.

Men of many words sometimes argue for the sake of talking; men of ready tongues frequently dispute for the sake of victory; men in public life often debate for the sake of opposing the ruling party, or from any other motive than the love of truth.

Books cannot always please, however good; Minds are not ever craving for their food.

'T was good advice, and meant, my son, Be good.

Oh, rather give me commentators plain, Who with no deep researches vex the brain; Who from the dark and doubtful love to run, And hold their glimmering tapers to the sun.

This, books can do-nor this alone; they give New views to life, and teach us how to live; They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise; Fools they admonish, and confirm the wise. Their aid they yield to all: they never shun The man of sorrow, nor the wretch undone; Unlike the hard, the selfish, and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd; Nor tell to various people various things, But show to subjects, what they show to kings.

The game is never lost till won.

Better to love amiss than nothing to have loved.

"Lawyers Are": By law's dark by-ways he has stored his mind with wicked knowledge on how to cheat mankind.

He tried the luxury of doing good.

An infatuated man is not only foolish, but wild.

Life's bloomy flush was lost.

Our farmers round, well pleased with constant gain, like other farmers, flourish and complain.

We cannot heal the throbbing heart till we discern the wounds within.

There is no mind so weak and powerless as not to have its inclinations, and none so guarded as to be without its prepossessions.

With eye upraised his master's look to scan, The joy, the solace, and the aid of man: The rich man's guardian and the poor man's friend, The only creature faithful to the end.

Who often reads, will sometimes wish to write.

Let's learn to live, for we must die alone.

To show the world what long experience gains, requires not courage, though it calls for pains; but at life's outset to inform mankind is a bold effort of a valiant mind.

In idle wishes, fools supinely stay. Be there a will and wisdom finds a way.

Impertinence will intermeddle in things in which it has no concern, showing a want of breeding, or, more commonly, a spirit of sheer impudence.

To the house of a friend if you're pleased to retire, You must all things admit, you must all things admire; You must pay with observance the price of your treat, You must eat what is praised, and must praise what you eat.

Habit with him was all the test of truth; It must be right: I've done it from my youth.

Dreams are like portraits; and we find they please because they are confessed resemblances.

A master passion is the love of news.

Anger makes us strong, Blind and impatient, And it leads us wrong; The strength is quickly lost; We feel the error long.

Life is not measured by the time we live.

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

Oh how the passions, insolent and strong, Bear our weak minds their rapid course along; Make us the madness of their will obey; Then die and leave us to our griefs as prey!

Good is done by degrees.

Her air, her manners, all who saw admir'd; Courteous though coy, and gentle though retir'd; The joy of youth and health her eyes display'd, And ease of heart her every look convey'd.

Experience finds few of the scenes that lively hope designs.

How often do we sigh for opportunities for doing good, whilst we neglect the openings of Providence in little things, which would frequently lead to the accomplishment of most important usefulness. Good is done by degrees. However small in proportion the benefit which follows individual attempts to do good, a great deal may thus be accomplished by perseverance, even in the midst of discouragements and disappointments.

Whatever amuses, serves to kill time, to lull the faculties, and to banish reflection. Whatever entertains, usually awakens the understanding or gratifies the fancy. Whatever diverts, is lively in its nature, and sometimes tumultuous in its effects.