Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

George Herbert

Welsh-born English Metaphysical Poet, Orator and Anglican Priest

"A scepter is one thing, and a ladle another."

"A sleepy master makes his servant a Lot."

"A ship and a woman are ever repairing."

"A servant with this clause makes drudgery divine; who sweeps a room as for Thy laws makes that and th’ action fine. A verse may find him who a sermon flys, and turn delight into a sacrifice. Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie; a fault which needs it most, grows two thereby."

"A small heart hath small desires."

"A snow year, a rich year."

"A stone in a well is not lost."

"A Tyrant is most tyrant to himself."

"A trade is better than service."

"A verse may finde him who a sermon flys, and turn delight into a sacrifice."

"A valiant man’s look is more than a cowards sword."

"A well-bred youth neither speaks of himself, nor being spoken to is silent."

"After the house is finisheed, leave it."

"All are not merry that dance lightly."

"A wicked man’s gift hath a touch of his master."

"A white wall is the paper of a fool."

"A wise man needs not blush for changing his purpose."

"A wolf will never make war against another wolf."

"A woman and a glass are ever in danger."

"A woman conceals what she knows not."

"After death the doctor"

"Advise none to marry or go to war."

"All complain."

"All comes from, and will go to others."

"All is not gold that glisters."

"All is well with him who is beloved of his neighbors."

"All beasts of prey are strong or treacherous."

"All are presumed good till they are found at fault."

"All griefs with bread are less."

"All covet, all lose."

"All flesh is not venison."

"All feet tread not in one shoe."

"All keys hang not on one girdle."

"All may have, if they dare try, a glorious life or grave."

"All the Arms of England will not arm fear."

"All that shakes falls not."

"Although the sunshine, leave not thy cloak at home."

"All things have their place, knew wee how to place them."

"Alms never make poor."

"Amiens was taken by the Fox, and retaken by the Lion."

"All our pomp the earth covers."

"Although it rain, throw not away thy watering pot."

"An Ass endures his burden, but not more than his burden."

"Amongst good men two men suffice."

"An examin'd enterprise goes on boldly."

"An idle head is a box for the wind."

"An ill agreement is better than a good judgment."

"An ill deed cannot bring honor."

"An ill laborer quarrels with his tools."

"An idle youth, a needy age."