535 quotes
She who ne'er answers till a husband cools,
Or, if she rules him, never shews she rules;
Charms by accepting, by submitting sways,
Yet has her humour most when she obeys.
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate,
And greatly falling with a falling state.
While Cato gives his little senate laws,
What bosom beats not in his country's cause?
Prologue to Mr. Addison's Cato (1713)
Some old men, by continually praising the time of their youth, would almost persuade us that there were no fools in those days; but unluckily they are left themselves for examples.
Thoughts on Various Subjects (1727)
In every work regard the writer's End,
Since none can compass more than they intend;
And if the means be just, the conduct true,
Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due.
An Essay on Criticism (1709)
Ah! what avails it me the flocks to keep,
Who lost my heart while I preserv'd my sheep.
Who would not praise Patricio's high desert,
His hand unstain'd, his uncorrupted heart,
His comprehensive head? all interests weigh'd,
All Europe sav'd, yet Britain not betray'd.
To endeavour to work upon the vulgar with fine sense, is like attempting to hew blocks with a razor.
Thoughts on Various Subjects (1727)
One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;
Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
Eloisa to Abelard (1717)
Heav'n first taught letters for some wretch's aid,
Some banish'd lover, or some captive maid.
Eloisa to Abelard (1717)
What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards?
Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards.
In adamantine chains shall Death be bound,
And Hell's grim tyrant feel th' eternal wound.
Condemned whole years in absence to deplore,
And image charms he must behold no more.
Eloise to Abelard (1717)
Eternal smiles his emptiness betray,
As shallow streams run dimpling all the way.
Prologue to Satires (1735)
Reason, however able, cool at best,
Cares not for service, or but serves when prest,
Stays till we call, and then not often near.
To be angry, is to revenge the fault of others upon ourselves.
Thoughts on Various Subjects (1727)
Thus when we view some well-proportion'd dome,
* * * * * *
No single parts unequally surprise,
All comes united to th' admiring eyes.
An Essay on Criticism (1709)
On wings of winds came flying all abroad.
Woman's at best a contradiction still.
Health consists with Temperance alone.
Most women have no characters at all.