Enjoy the present hour, Be thankful for the past, And neither fear nor wish Th' approaches of the last..

I confess I love littleness almost in all things. A little convenient estate, a little cheerful house, a little company, and a little feast..

Curs'd be that wretch (Death's factor sure) who brought Dire swords into the peaceful world, and taught Smiths (who before could only make The spade,….

Thus each extreme to equal danger tends, Plenty, as well as Want, can sep'rate friends..

Neither the praise nor the blame is our own..

Come, my best Friends! my Books! and lead me on..

Gold begets in brethren hate; Gold in families debate; Gold does friendship separate; Gold does civil wars create..

Who that has reason, and his smell, Would not among roses and jasmin dwell?.

Of all ills that one endures, hope is a cheap and universal cure..

Nothing so soon the drooping spirits can raise As praises from the men, whom all men praise..

I never had any other desire so strong, and so like covetousness, as that ... I might be master at last of a small house and a large garden, with ve….

Awake, awake, my Lyre!And tell thy silent master's humble taleIn sounds that may prevail;Sounds that gentle thoughts inspire:Though so exalted sheAnd….

There is some help for all the defects of fortune; for, if a man cannot attain to the length of his wishes, he may have his remedy by cutting of them….

To be a husbandman, is but a retreat from the city; to be a philosopher, from the world; or rather, a retreat from the world, as it is man's, into th….

Acquaintance I would have, but when it depends; not on number, but the choice of friends..

Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise, He who defers this work from day to day, Does on a river's bank expecting stay, Till the whole stream, whi….

Nay, in death's hand, the grape-stone proves As strong as thunder is in Jove's..

I would not fear nor wish my fate, but boldly say each night, to-morrow let my sun his beams display, or in clouds hide them; I have lived today..

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave, May I a small House and a large Garden have. And a few Friends, and many Books both true, Both wise, and both d….

Happy insect! what can be In happiness compared to thee? Fed with nourishment divine, The dewy morning's gentle wine! Nature waits upon thee still, A….

Water and air He for the Tenor chose, Earth made the Base, the Treble Fame arose, To th' active Moon a quick brisk stroke he gave, To Saturn's string….