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Quotes from The Castle of Indolence — James Thomson

d. 1748 Scotland

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10 quotes

They who are pleased themselves must always please.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

He ceased; but still their trembling ears retained
The deep vibrations of his witching song.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

O fair undress, best dress! it checks no vein,
But every flowing limb in pleasure drowns,
And heightens ease with grace.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

But what most showed the vanity of life
Was to behold the nations all on fire.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

A little, round, fat, oily man of God.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

The best of men have ever loved repose:
They hate to mingle in the filthy fray;
Where the soul sours, and gradual rancour grows,
Imbitter'd more from peevish day to day.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

A bard here dwelt, more fat than bard becomes
Who void of envy, guile and lust of gain,
On virtue still and nature's pleasing themes
Poured forth his unpremeditated strain.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

Plac'd far amid the melancholy main.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

Their only labour was to kill the time;
And labour dire it is, and weary woe,
They sit, they loll, turn o'er some idle rhyme,
Then, rising sudden, to the glass they go,
Or saunter forth, with tottering steps and slow.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

Ah! what avail the largest gifts of Heaven,
When drooping health and spirits go amiss?
How tasteless then whatever can be given!
Health is the vital principle of bliss,
And exercise, of health.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: James Thomson (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.