92 George Herbert Quotes

Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.

Good words are worth much, and cost little.

Storms make the oak grow deeper roots.

A hundredload of worry will not pay an ounce of debt.

A wise man cares not for what he cannot have.

God sees hearts as we see faces.

Thou who has given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart.

Knowledge is but folly unless it is guided by grace.

Pursue not a victory too far. He hath conquered well that hath made his enemy fly; thou mayest beat him to a desperate resistance, which may ruin thee.

Praise the sea, but keep on the land.

Show me a liar, and I will show thee a thief.

God's mill grinds slow, but sure.

Punishment is lame, but it comes.

Help thyself, and God will help thee.

Read as you taste fruit or savor wine, or enjoy friendship, love or life.

The ignorant hath an eagle's wings and an owl's eyes.

The mouse that hath but one hole is quickly taken.

He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea.

Love, and a cough, cannot be hid.

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

One hour's sleep before midnight is worth three after.

Little pitchers have wide ears.

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

No sooner is a temple built to God, but the devil builds a chapel hard by.

Sum up at night what thou hast done by day, and in the morning what thou hast to do; dress and undress thy soul; mark the decay or growth of it. If with thy watch, that too be down, then wind up both. Since thou shalt be most surely judged, make thine accounts agree.

Steal the hog, and give the feet for alms.

The best mirror is an old friend.

Throw away thy rod, throw away thy wrath; O my God, take the gentle path.

A man of great memory without learning hath a rock and a spindle and no staff to spin.

A hundred load of worry will not pay an ounce of debt.

Drink not the third glass, which thou canst not tame, when once it is within thee.

War makes thieves and peace hangs them.

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.

Take all that is given whether wealth, love or language, nothing comes by mistake and with good digestion all can be turned to health.

He that lives in hope dances without music.

The resolved mind hath no cares.

Better never begin than never make an end.

He hath no leisure who useth it not.

It is part of a poor spirit to undervalue himself and blush.

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

Let thy mind's sweetness have its operation upon thy body, thy clothes, and thy habitation.

A civil guest will no more talk all, than eat all the feast.

Hell is full of good meanings and wishings.

Play not for gain, but sport; who plays for more than he can lose with pleasure stakes his heart.

If I have but enough for myself and family, I am steward only for myself and them; if I have more, I am but a steward of that abundance for others.

When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow.

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

Many kiss the hand they wish cut off.

If a donkey brays at you, don't bray at him.

Be not too presumptuously sure in any business; for things of this world depend on such a train of unseen chances that if it were in man's hands to set the tables, still he would not be certain to win the game.