George Herbert

George Herbert (1593 - 1633) was an English poet. He was brother of the Lord Edward Herbert, and was born in Montgomery Castle. Failing in preferment at Court, he took holy orders and became rector of Bemerton, Wiltshire, a post he lived only two years to hold. He was the author of a Christian poem entitled "The Temple", held in high regard by people of the devout and reverently contemplative spirit of the author. His memory is embalmed in a Life of him by Izaak Walton.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Leave jesting while it pleaseth, lest it turn to earnest.

- Jacula Prudentum

• The law is not the same at morning and at night.

- Jacula Prudentum

• He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea.

- Jacula Prudentum

• Living well is the best revenge.

- Jacula Prudentum

• Teach me, my God and king,

In all things thee to see;
And what I do in anything,
To do it as for thee.
- The Elixir in The Temple

• When God at first made man,

Having a glass of blessings standing by,
Let us, said he, pour on him all we can.
Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.
(God withholds only one gift: rest.)

• At last,

If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to My breast.
- The Pulley in The Temple

• Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses.

- Virtue, in The Temple

• War is death's feast.

- Outlandish Proberbs

Izaak Walton