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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.

— James Thomson The Castle of Indolence (1748)

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More quotes by James Thomson

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)

Why should we kill the best of passions, love?
It aids the hero, bids ambition rise
To nobler heights, inspires immortal deeds,
Even softens brutes, and adds a grace to virtue.

More firm and sure the hand of courage strikes, when it obeys the watchful eye of caution.

All James Thomson quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: James Thomson (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.