dots-menu
×

Home  »  Familiar Quotations  »  Page 739

John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 739

 
 
James Russell Lowell. (1819–1891) (continued)
 
For me Fate gave, whate’er she else denied,
A nature sloping to the southern side;
I thank her for it, though when clouds arise
Such natures double-darken gloomy skies.
          To George William Curtis.
7360
    In life’s small things be resolute and great
To keep thy muscle trained: know’st thou when Fate
Thy measure takes, or when she’ll say to thee,
“I find thee worthy; do this deed for me”?
          Epigram.
7361
    In vain we call old notions fudge,
  And bend our conscience to our dealing;
The Ten Commandments will not budge,
  And stealing will continue stealing.
          Motto of the American Copyright League. (Written Nov. 20, 1885).
7362
    God, give us Peace! not such as lulls to sleep,
  But sword on thigh and brow with purpose knit!
And let our Ship of State to harbor sweep,
  Her ports all up, her battle lanterns lit,
And her leashed thunders gathering for their leap.
          The Washers of the Shroud.
7363
      Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.
          Among my Books. First Series. Dryden.
7364
      A wise scepticism is the first attribute of a good critic.
          Among my Books. First Series. Shakespeare once more.
7365
      One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.
          Among my Books. First Series. Shakespeare once more.
7366
      Aspiration sees only one side of every question; possession many.
          Among my Books. First Series. New England two Centuries ago.
7367
      Truly there is a tide in the affairs of men; but there is no gulf-stream setting forever in one direction.
          Among my Books. First Series. New England two Centuries ago.