George Crabbe Quotes

66 Sourced Quotes

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

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

George Crabbe
To sigh, yet not recede; to grieve, yet not repent.

George Crabbe
Men famed for wit, of dangerous talents vain,
Treat those of common parts with proud disdain;
The powers that wisdom would, improving, hide,
They blaze abroad, with inconsid'rate pride;
While yet but mere probationers for fame,
They seize the honor they should then disclaim:
Honor so hurried to the light must fade,
The lasting laurels nourish in the shade.

George Crabbe
Wine, like the rising sun, possession gains,
And drives the mist of dullness from the brains,
The gloomy vapor from the spirit flies,
And views of gaiety and gladness rise.

George Crabbe
In general satire, every man perceives A slight attack, yet neither fears nor grieves.

George Crabbe
O days remember'd well! remember'd all!
The bitter sweet, the honey and the gall;
Those garden rambles in the silent night,
Those trees so shady, and that moon se bright,
That thickset alley by the arbor clos'd,
That woodbine seat where we at last repos'd;
And then the hopes that came and then were gone,
Quick as the clouds beneath the moon past on.

George Crabbe
The coward never on himself relies, But to an equal for assistance flies.

George Crabbe
Beauties, when disposed to sleep,
Should from the eye of keen inspector keep:
The lovely nymph who would her swain surprise,
May close her mouth, but not conceal her eyes;
Sleep from the fairest face some beauty takes,
And all the homely features homelier makes.

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

George Crabbe
Oh! 'tis a precious thing, when wives are dead, To find such numbers who will serve instead: And in whatever state a man be thrown, 'Tis that precisely they would wish their own.

George Crabbe
Ease leads to habit, as success to ease.
He lives by rule who lives himself to please.

George Crabbe
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.

George Crabbe
Blest be the gracious Power, who taught mankind
To stamp a lasting image of the mind!
Beasts may convey, and tuneful birds may sing,
Their mutual feelings, in the opening spring;
But Man alone has skill and power to send
The heart's warm dictates to the distant friend;
'Tis his alone to please, instruct, advise
Ages remote, and nations yet to rise.

George Crabbe
Involved in sea-wrack, here you find a race, Which science, doubting, knows not where to place; On shell or stone is dropp'd the embryo-seed, And quickly vegetates a vital breed.

George Crabbe
The wife was pretty, trifling, childish, weak; She could not think, but would not cease to speak.

George Crabbe
Ability comprehends the power of doing in general, without specifying the quality or degree.

George Crabbe
Yes, thus the Muses sing of happy swains,
Because the Muses never knew their pains:
They boast their peasants' pipes, but peasants now
Resign their pipes and plod behind the plough.

George Crabbe
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!

George Crabbe
Circles in water as they wider flow
The less conspicuous in their progress grow,
And when at last they trench upon the shore,
Distinction ceases and they're view'd no more.

George Crabbe
Through the sharp air a flaky torrent flies, Mocks the slow sight, and hides the gloomy skies; The fleecy clouds their chilly bosoms bare, And shed their substance on the floating air.

George Crabbe
What is a church? Let Truth and reason speak, They would reply, "The faithful, pure and meek, From Christian folds, the one selected race, Of all professions, and in every place.

George Crabbe
Arrogance is the act of the great; presumption that of the little.

George Crabbe
The gentle fair on nervous tea relies,
Whilst gay good-nature sparkles in her eyes;
An inoffensive scandal fluttering round,
Too rough to tickle, and too light to wound.

George Crabbe
That all men would be cowards if they dare,
Some men we know have courage to declare.

George Crabbe
Soldiers in arms! Defenders of our soil!
Who from destruction save us; who from spoil
Protect the sons of peace, who traffic or who toil;
Would I could duly praise you, that each deed
Your foe's might honor, and your friends might read.

George Crabbe
Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend, Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend; But if he will thy friendly checks forego, Thou art, oh! woe for me, his deadliest foe!

George Crabbe
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.

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

George Crabbe
With friends and gay companions round them, then Men boldly speak and have the hearts of men; Who, with opponents seated, miss the aid Of kind applauding looks, and grow afraid.

George Crabbe