Anne Bradstreet quotes

Authority without wisdom is like a heavy ax without an edge -- fitter to bruise than polish. (Anne Bradstreet)
Youth is the time of getting, middle age of improving, and old age of spending.
Anne Bradstreet
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
Anne Bradstreet
What to my Saviour shall I giveWho freely hath done this for me?I'll serve him here whilst I shall liveAnd Loue him to Eternity.
Anne Bradstreet
Fire hath its force abated by water, not by wind; and anger must be allayed by cold words, and not by blustering threats.
Anne Bradstreet
If for thy Father askt, say, thou hadst none; And for thy Mother, she alas is poor, Which caus'd her thus to send thee out of door.
Anne Bradstreet
A Spring returns, and they more youthful made; But Man grows old, lies down, remains where once he's laid.
Anne Bradstreet
"Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou on Nothing but Meditation?
Anne Bradstreet
Sweet words are like honey, a little may refresh, but too much gluts the stomach.
Anne Bradstreet
Wisdom with an inheritance is good, but wisdom without an inheritance is better than an inheritance without wisdom.
Anne Bradstreet
A prosperous state makes a secure Christian, but adversity makes him Consider. (Anne Bradstreet)
Iron till it be thoroughly heated is incapable to be wrought; so God sees good to cast some men into the furnace of affliction, and then beats them on his anvil into what frame he pleases.
Anne Bradstreet
If what I do prove well, it won't advance. They'll say it's stolen, or else it was by chance.
Anne Bradstreet
If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me ye women if you can.
Anne Bradstreet
Leave not thy nest, thy dam and sire, Fly back and sing amidst this choir.
Anne Bradstreet
The principal might yield a greater sum, Yet handled ill, amounts but to this crumb.
Anne Bradstreet
Such cold mean flowers the spring puts forth betime, Before the sun hath thoroughly heat the clime.
Anne Bradstreet