John Greenleaf Whittier
FameRank: 6

"John Greenleaf Whittier" was an influential American Quakers/Quaker poet and ardent advocate of the Abolitionism#United States/abolition of slavery in the United States. He is usually listed as one of the Fireside Poets. Whittier was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Highly regarded in his lifetime and for a period thereafter, he is now remembered for his poem Snow-Bound, and the words of the hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, from his poem "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind#The Brewing of Soma/The Brewing of Soma", frequently sung to the tune "Repton" by Hubert Parry.

If you enjoy these quotes, be sure to check out other famous poets! More John Greenleaf Whittier on Wikipedia.

Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing Returns to you glad.

All the windows of my heart I open to the day.

The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought which it suggests; just as the charm of music dwells not in the tones but in the echoes of our hearts.

Beauty seen is never lost, God's colors all are fast.

Tradition wears a snowy beard, romance is always young.

No longer forward nor behind, I look in hope or fear; But grateful take the good I find, The best of now and here.

One brave deed makes no hero.

And a nameless longing filled her breast, - A wish, that she hardly dared to own, For something better than she had known.

For somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.