Quote #46

Our wasted oil unprofitably burns, Like hidden lamps in old sepulchral urns.

More from William Cowper

  1. I pity bashful men, who feel the pain Of fancied scorn and undeserved disdain, And bear the marks upon a blushing face, Of needless shame, …
  2. But that disease when soberly defined Is the false fire of an o'erheated mind.
  3. His wit invites you by his looks to come, But when you knock it never is at home.
  4. But Conversation, choose what theme we may, And chiefly when religion leads the way, Should flow, like waters after summer show'rs, Not as …
  5. The solemn fop; significant and budge; A fool with judges, amongst fools a judge.
  6. A business with an income at its heels Furnishes always oil for its own wheels.
  7. I cannot talk with civet in the room, A fine puss-gentleman that's all perfume.
  8. Absence of occupation is not rest, A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.

All William Cowper quotes