Thomas Traherne quotes

Had we not loved ourselves at all, we could never have been obliged to love anything. So that self-love is the basis of all love. (Thomas Traherne)
A stranger here Strange things doth meet, strange glories see; Strange treasures lodg'd in this fair world appear, Strange all and new to me; But that they mine should be who nothing was, That strangest is of all; yet brought to pass.
Thomas Traherne
Why is this soe long detaind in a dark manuscript, that if printed would be a Light to the World, & a Universal Blessing?
Thomas Traherne
By this you may see who are the rude and barbarous Indians: For verily there is no savage nation under the cope of Heaven, that is more absurdly barbarous than the Christian World. They that go naked and drink water and live upon roots are like Adam, or Angels in comparison of us.
Thomas Traherne
As nothing is more easy than to think, so nothing is more difficult than to think well.
Thomas Traherne
The corn was orient and immortal wheat, which never should be reaped, nor was ever sown. I thought it had stood from everlasting to everlasting.
Thomas Traherne
The world is a mirror of infinite beauty, yet no man sees it. It is a Temple of Majesty, yet no man regards it. It is a region of Light and Peace, did not man disquiet it. It is the Paradise of God.
Thomas Traherne
Strange is the vigour in a brave man's soul. The strength of his spirit and his irresistible power, the greatness of his heart and the height of his condition, his mighty confidence and contempt of danger, his true security and repose in himself, his liberty to dare and do what he pleaseth, his alacrity in the midst of fears, his invincible temper, are advantages which make him master of fortune.
Thomas Traherne
All appeared new, and strange at first, inexpressibly rare and delightful and beautiful. I was a little stranger, which at my entrance into the world was saluted and surrounded with innumerable joys. My knowledge was Divine. I knew by intuition those things which since my Apostasy, I collected again by the highest reason.
Thomas Traherne
You never enjoy the world aright, till the sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens and crowned with the stars.
Thomas Traherne
You never know yourself till you know more than your body. (Thomas Traherne)
Happiness was not made to be boasted, but enjoyed. Therefore tho others count me miserable, I will not believe them if I know and feel myself to be happy; nor fear them.
Thomas Traherne
Order the beauty even of beauty is, It is the rule of bliss, The very life and form and cause of pleasure.
Thomas Traherne
The Men! O what venerable and reverend creatures did the aged seem! Immortal Cherubims! And young men glittering and sparkling Angels, and maids strange seraphic pieces of life and beauty! Boys and girls tumbling in the street, and playing, were moving jewels. I knew not that they were born or should die; But all things abided eternally as they were in their proper places.
Thomas Traherne
You never enjoy the world aright, till the Sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars: and perceive yourself to be the sole heir of the whole world.
Thomas Traherne
To think the world therefore a general Bedlam, or place of madmen, and oneself a physician, is the most necessary point of present wisdom.
Thomas Traherne
Some unknown joys there be Laid up in store for me.
Thomas Traherne
An empty book is like an infant's soul, in which anything may be written. It is capable of all things, but containeth nothing.
Thomas Traherne
At present I'm re-reading Traherne's Centuries of Meditations which I think almost the most beautiful book (in prose, I mean, excluding poets) in English.
Thomas Traherne
Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed: our love to others, and others love to us.
Thomas Traherne
To love one person with a private love is poor and miserable: to love all is glorious. (Thomas Traherne)
This moment exhibits infinite space, but there is a space also wherein all moments are infinitely exhibited, and the everlasting duration of infinite space is another region and room of joys.
Thomas Traherne
To think the world therefore a general Bedlam, or place of madmen, and oneself a physician, is the most necessary point of present wisdom: an important imagination, and the way to happiness.
Thomas Traherne
More company increases happiness, but does not lighten or diminish misery.
Thomas Traherne
Your enjoyment of the world is never right, till every morning you awake in Heaven: see yourself in your Father's palace; and look upon the skies, the earth, and the air as celestial joys: having such a reverend esteem of all, as if you were among the angels.
Thomas Traherne