George Herbert
George Herbert
George Herbertwas a Welsh poet, orator and Anglican priest. Herbert's poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognized as "a pivotal figure: enormously popular, deeply and broadly influential, and arguably the most skilful and important British devotional lyricist."...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth3 April 1593
hands bird feathers
A feather in hand is better then a bird in the ayre.
heart saws would-be
Surely if each one saw another's heart, There would be no commerce, No sale or bargain pass: all would disperse And live apart.
ambition glorious-life trying
For all may have, If they dare to try, a glorious life, or grave.
dwarves two giants
A Dwarfe on a Gyants shoulder sees further of the two. [A dwarf on a giant's shoulder sees farther of the two.
beauty flames borrowed
True beauty lives on high. Ours is but a flame borrowed thence.
justice faults found
All are presumed good till they are found at fault.
smell bread taste
Of the smells, bread; of the tastes, salt.
wisdom treasure speak
Do not grudge To pick out treasures from an earthen pot. The worst speaks something good.
work rich good-work
Good workmen are seldom rich.
war hell
When war begins, then hell openeth.
feet light ready
Where your will is ready, your feet are light.
tools quarrels workmen
A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
trust god-provides
God provides for him that trusteth.
laughing sorrow gains
Learn weeping, and thou shalt gain laughing.