Isaac Watts Quotes
An English theologian, logician, and a prolific and popular hymnwriter.
(1674 - 1748)
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A dogmatical spirit inclines a man to be censorious of his neighbors. - Everyone of his opinions appears to him written as with sunbeams, and he grows angry that his neighbors do not see it in the same light. - He is tempted to disdain his correspondents as men of low and dark understanding because they do not believe what he does.
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Acquaint yourself with your own ignorance.
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Acquire a government over your ideas, that they may come down when they are called, and depart when they are bidden.
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Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which relate to your profession.
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Earth, thou great footstool of our God, who reigns on high; thou fruitful source of all our raiment, life, and food; our house, our parent, and our nurse.
[Earth]
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Every one of his opinions appears to himself to be written with sunbeams.
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Fairest of lights above! thou sun whose beams adorn the spheres, and with unwearied swiftness move, to form the circle of our years.
[Sun]
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Fancy and humor, early and constantly indulged, may expect an old age overrun with follies.
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Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me still.
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For Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do.
[Idleness]
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Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound.
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His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best, as painting the skies he sinks down in the West, and foretells a bright rising again.
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How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour, And gather honey all the day From every opening flower.
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Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber, Holy angels guard thy bed! Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head.
[Sleep]
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I would not change my blest estate for all the world calls good or great.
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It was a saying of the ancients, that "truth lies in a well"; and to carry on the metaphor, we may justly say, that logic supplies us with steps whereby we may go down to reach the water.
[Logic]
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Learning to trust is one of life's most difficult tasks.
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Let me be dressed fine as I will, Flies, worms, and flowers, exceed me still.
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Maintain a constant watch at all times against a dogmatical spirit: fix not your assent to any proposition in a firm and unalterable manner, till you have some firm and unalterable ground for it, and till you have arrived at some clear and sure evidence.
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May I govern my passions with absolute sway, and grow wiser and better as life wears away.
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