George Herbert Quotes

300 Sourced Quotes

The first service a child doth his father is to make him foolish.

George Herbert
He that hath a head of waxe must not walke in the sunne.
[He that hath a head of wax must not walk in the sun.]

George Herbert
My body is all symmetry, Full of proportions, one limb to another, And all to all the world besides: Each part may call the farthest, brother: For head with foot hath private smity, And both with moon and tides.

George Herbert
The Physitian owes all to the patient, but the patient owes nothing to him but a little mony.

George Herbert
It is better to be the head of the lizard than the tail of the lion.

George Herbert
One eye of the masters sees more, then ten of the servants.
[One eye of the master sees more than ten of the servants']

George Herbert
God strikes not with both hands, for to the sea he made heavens, and to rivers foords.

George Herbert
He that hath no hony in his pot, let him have it in his mouth.

George Herbert
Give me simplicity, that I may live,
So live and like, that I may know Thy ways,
Know them and practise them: then shall I give
For this poor wreath, give Thee a crown of praise.

George Herbert
Life without a friend is death without a witnesse.
[Life without a friend is death without a witness.]

George Herbert
States have their conversions and periods as well as naturall bodies.

George Herbert
Exalted Manna, gladness of the best, Heaven in ordinary, man well drest,

George Herbert
When God is made the master of a family, he disorders the disorderly.

George Herbert
The ofspring of those that are very young, or very old, lasts not.

George Herbert
Of a pigs taile you can never make a good shaft.
[Of a pig's tail you can never make a good shaft.]

George Herbert
He hath great neede of a foole, that plaies the foole himselfe.

George Herbert
Infants manners are moulded more by the example of Parents, then by stars at their nativities.

George Herbert
Say no ill of the yeere, till it be past.
[Say no ill of the year till it be past.]

George Herbert
The subtle chymick can devest And strip the creature naked, till he finde The callow principles within their nest: There he imparts to them his minde, Admitted to their bed-chamber before They appeare trim and drest To ordinate suitours at the doore.

George Herbert
They that hold the greatest farmes, pay the least rent (applyed to rich men that are unthankful to God).

George Herbert
He that will do thee a good turne, either he will be gon or dye.

George Herbert
Avoid,Profaneness; come not here: Nothing but holy, pure, and clear, Or that which groaneth to be so, May at his peril further go.

George Herbert
He that is his owne Counsellor knowes nothing sure but what hee hath laid out.

George Herbert
I wept when I was borne, and every day shewes why.
[I wept when I was born and every day explains why.]

George Herbert
Calmness is great advantage; he that lets Another chafe, may warm him at his fire.

George Herbert
Between the businesse of life and the day of death, a space ought to be interposed.

George Herbert
He that needs five thousand pound to live,
Is full as poor as he that needs but five.

George Herbert
He that doth what he should not, shall feele what he would not.
[He that doth what he should not shall feel what he would not.]

George Herbert
It's a poore stake that cannot stand one yeare in the ground.

George Herbert
Either wealth is much increased, or moderation is much decayed.

George Herbert