Skip to content

O if thou knew’st how thou thyself dost harm,
And dost prejudge thy bliss, and spoil my rest;
Then thou would’st melt the ice out of thy breast
And thy relenting heart would kindly warm.

— William Alexander

Another quote →

Source and credibility

Wikiquote does not flag this quote as disputed or misattributed.

Source: Aurora. Sonnet 33
Source quality: Weak source Only a web link, a social media post, or a bare page number with no work named.

More by William Alexander

The white sail of his soul has rounded
The promontory—death.

That generous plainness proves the better way.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

His birthright sold, some pottage so to gain.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

Pride hated stands, and doth unpitied fall.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

That queen of nations, absolutely great.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

What thing so good which not some harm may bring?
Even to be happy is a dangerous thing.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

Vile avarice and pride, from Heaven accurst,
In all are ill, but in a church-man worst.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

Although my hap be hard, my heart is high.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

All William Alexander quotes →

Notes from Wikiquote

L. E. Kastner & H. B. Charlton, eds., The Poetical Works of Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, Vol. 2 (Manchester University Press, 1929)

More quotes by William Alexander

Of all the tyrants that the world affords,
Our own affections are the fiercest lords.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

To love and be beloved, this is the good,
Which for most sovereign all the world will prove.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

Of all things that are feared, the least is death.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

That fatal sergeant, Death, spares no degree.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

Despair and confidence both banish fear.

A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924)

All William Alexander quotes →

Attribution

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