Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.
"William Cowper"}} was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him "the best modern poet", whilst William Wordsworth particularly admired his poem Yardley-Oak. He was a nephew of the poet Judith Madan.
After being institutionalised for insanity in the period 1763–65, Cowper found refuge in a fervent evangelicalism/ evangelical Christianity, the inspiration behind his much-loved hymns. He continued to suffer doubt and, after a dream in 1773, believed that he was doomed to Damnation#Religious/ eternal damnation. He recovered and wrote more religious hymns.
His religious sentiment and association with curate John Newton (who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace") led to much of the poetry for which he is best remembered. His poem "Light Shining out of Darkness" gave English the phrase: "God moves in a mysterious way/His wonders to perform."
If you enjoy these quotes, be sure to check out other famous poets! More William Cowper on Wikipedia.O Winter! ruler of the inverted year, . . . I crown thee king of intimate delights, Fireside enjoyments, home-born happiness, And all the comforts that the lowly roof Of undisturb'd Retirement, and the hours Of long uninterrupted evening, know.
Glory built on selfish principles is shame and guilt.
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
'Tis hard if all is false that I advance A fool must now and then be right, by chance.
Absence of occupation is not rest; a mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.
Rome shall perish - write that word / In the blood that she has spilt.
Words learned by rote a parrot may rehearse; but talking is not always to converse, not more distinct from harmony divine, the constant creaking of a country sign.
Meditation here may think down hours to moments. Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head and learning wiser grow without his books.
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.
The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.
For 'tis a truth well known to most, That whatsoever thing is lost, We seek it, ere it comes to light, In every cranny but the right.
Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair.
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