Explore Quotes by John Donne

We are all conceived in close prison; in our mothers wombs, we are close prisoners all; when we are born, we are born but to the liberty of the house; prisoners still, though within larger walls; and then all our life is but a going out to the place of execution, to death.

Eternity is not an everlasting flux of time, but time is as a short parenthesis in a long period.

Who are a little wise the best fools be.

Whoever loves, if he do not propose_x000D__x000D_The right true end of love, he's one that goes_x000D__x000D_To sea for nothing but to make him sick.

When I died last, and, Dear, I die_x000D__x000D_As often as from thee I go_x000D__x000D_Though it be but an hour ago,_x000D__x000D_And lovers' hours be full eternity.

How much shall I be changed, before I am changed!

Love was as subtly caught, as a disease; But being got it is a treasure sweet, which to defend is harder than to get: And ought not be profaned on either part, for though 'Tis got by chance, 'Tis kept by art.

A mathematical point is the most indivisble and unique thing which art can present.

On a huge hill, Cragged, and steep, Truth stands, and hee that will_x000D__x000D_Reach her, about must, and about must goo.

The world is a great volume, and man the index of that book; even in the body of man, you may turn to the whole world.

At the round earth's imagined corners, blow your trumpets, angels.

I throw myself down in my chamber, and I call and invite God and his angels thither.

I count all that part of my life lost which I spent not in communion with God, or in doing good.

Goe and catche a falling starre, Get with child a mandrake root, Tell me, where all past yeares are, Or who cleft the Divel's foot. Teach me to hear Mermaides' singing, Or to keep of envies stinging, And finde What winde Serves to advance an honest minde.

I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth onely in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield it self upon honest and lawfull terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.

Keep us, Lord, so awake in the duties of our calling that we may sleep in thy peace and wake in thy glory.

This only is charity, to do all, all that we can.

Twice or thrice had I loved thee before I knew thy face or name, so in a voice, so in a shapeless flame, angels affect us oft, and worshiped be.

To a large degree, since the beginning of time, charisma or the lack of it has impacted upon those in quest of acclaim. As media expands, this has become ever more vital. Thus, demeanor if unappealing, can defeat one's likelihood of success, causing the death of prospects whilst they are still embryonic.

As peace is of all goodness, so war is an emblem, a hieroglyphic, of all misery.

There is in every miracle a silent chiding of the world, and a tacit reprehension of them who require, or who need miracles.