Matthew Prior quotes

The end must justify the means. (Matthew Prior)
They never taste who always drink; They always talk who never think.
Matthew Prior
Cured yesterday of my disease, I died last night of my physician.
Matthew Prior
For hope is but the dream of those that wake.
Matthew Prior
A Rechabite poor Will must live, And drink of Adam's ale.
Matthew Prior
Till their own dreams at length decive 'em, And oft repeating, they believe 'em.
Matthew Prior
Soft peace she brings; wherever she arrives She builds our quiet as she forms our lives; Lays the rough paths of peevish Nature even, And opens in each heart a little heaven.
Matthew Prior
Now fitted the halter, now traversed the cart, And often took leave, but was loth to depart.
Matthew Prior
All jargon of the schools.
Matthew Prior
Our hopes, like towering falcons, aim At objects in an airy height; The little pleasure of the game Is from afar to view the flight.
Matthew Prior
From ignorance our comfort flows. The only wretched are the wise. (Matthew Prior)
Be to her virtues very kind; Be to her faults a little blind; Let all her ways be unconfined; And clap your padlock - on her mind!
Matthew Prior
That air and harmony of shape express, Fine by degrees, and beautifully less.
Matthew Prior
Nobles and heralds, by your leave, Here lies what once was Matthew Prior; The son of Adam and of Eve: Can Bourbon or Nassau claim higher?
Matthew Prior
Forbear to mention what thou canst not praise.
Matthew Prior
To John I owed great obligation; But John, unhappily, thought fit To publish it to all the nation: Sure John and I are more than quit.
Matthew Prior
Abra was ready ere I called her name; And though I called another, Abra came.
Matthew Prior
Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?
Matthew Prior
Venus, take my votive glass; Since I am not what I was, What from this day I shall be, Venus, let me never see.
Matthew Prior
That if weak women went astray, Their stars were more in fault than they.
Matthew Prior
He ranged his tropes, and preached up patience; Backed his opinion with quotations. (Matthew Prior)
His noble negligences teach What others' toils despair to reach.
Matthew Prior
Who breathes must suffer, and who thinks must mourn; And he alone is bless'd who ne'er was born.
Matthew Prior
They talk most who have the least to say.
Matthew Prior
Be to her virtues very kind. Be to her faults a little blind.
Matthew Prior