Howard Nemerov, "The Loon's Cry"

"... For signatures
In all things are, which leave us not alone
Even in the thought of death, and may by arts
Contemplative be found and named again."

Saturday, August 16, 2008

The Wisdom of George Herbert


Life is half spent before we know what it is. A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread.

Dare to be true. Nothing can need a lie: a fault which needs it most, grows two thereby.

Do not wait; the time will never be "just right."
Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at
your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.

Good words are worth much, and cost little.

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.

In conversation, humor is worth more than wit and easiness more than knowledge.

Living well is the best revenge.

Love and a cough cannot be hid.

None knows the weight of another's burden.

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.

Punishment is lame, but it comes.

Sometimes the best gain is to lose.

There is an hour wherein a man might be happy all his life, could he find it.

There is great force hidden in a gentle command.

Speak not of my debts unless you mean to pay them.

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