The man who never alters his opinions is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.
William BlakeI am more famed in Heaven for my works than I could well conceive. In my brain are studies & chambers filled with books & pictures of old, which I wrote and painted in ages of Eternity before my mortal life; and whose works are the delight & study of Archangels. Why, then, should I be anxious about the riches or fame of mortality?
William BlakeAbstinence sows sand all over The ruddy limbs and flaming hair, But desire gratified Plants fruits of life and beauty there.
William BlakePoetry, Painting & Music, the three Powers in man of conversing with Paradise, which the flood did not sweep away.
William BlakeThe difference between a bad artist and a good one is: the bad artist seems to copy a great deal; the good one really does.
William BlakeThe inquiry in England is not whether a man has talents and genius, but whether he is passive and polite and a virtuous ass and obedient to noblemen's opinions in art and science. If he is, he is a good man. If not, he must be starved.
William BlakeBring me my bow of burning gold: Bring me my arrows of desire: Bring me my spear: O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire.
William BlakeWhat seems to be, is, to those to whom it seems to be, and is productive of the most dreadful consequences to those to whom it seems to be, even of torments, despair, eternal death.
William BlakeEnergy is the only life, and is from the body; and reason is the bound or outward circumference of energy. Energy is eternal delight.
William BlakeMen are admitted into heaven not because they have curbed or governed their passions, but because they have cultivate their understandings.
William Blake[L]et light Rise from the chambers of the east, and bring The honey'd dew that cometh on waking day. O radiant morning.
William BlakeHow can the bird that is born for joy Sit in a cage and sing? How can a child, when fears annoy, But droop his tender wing, And forget his youthful spring?
William BlakeThe world of imagination is the world of eternity. It is the divine bosom into which we shall all go after death of the vegetative body.
William BlakeLove seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell's despair.
William BlakeIf you trap the moment before it's ripe, The tears of repentence you'll certainly wipe; But if once you let the ripe moment go You can never wipe off the tears of woe.
William BlakeMen are admitted into heaven not because they have curbed and governed their passions or have no passions, but because they have cultivated their understandings. The treasures of heaven are not negations of passion, but realities of intellect, from which all the passions emanate uncurbed in their eternal glory.
William BlakeHow do you know but ev’ry Bird that cuts the airy way, Is an immense world of delight, clos’d by your senses five?
William BlakeI was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow.
William BlakeWithout Unceasing Practice nothing can be done. Practice is Art. If you leave off you are lost.
William BlakeFor I dance And drink and sing, Till some blind hand Shall brush my wing. If thought is life And strength and breath And the want Of thought is death Then am I A happy fly If I live Or if I die
William BlakeCome o'er the eastern hills, and let our winds Kiss thy perfumed garments; let us taste Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls Upon our love-sick land that mourns for thee.
William BlakeAs I was walking among the fires of Hell, delighted with the enjoyments of Genius; which to Angels look like torment and insanity, I collected some of their Proverbs.
William BlakeThe hand of Vengeance found the Bed To which the Purple Tyrant fled The iron hand crush'd the tyrant's head And became Tyrant in his stead.
William Blake