Quotes by John Godfrey Saxe

“Give me kisses! Nay, 'tis true I am just as rich as you; And for every kiss I owe, I can pay you back, you know. Kiss me, then, Every moment, and again.”

“At Learning's fountain it is sweet to drink, But 'tis a nobler privilege to think.”

“I love vast libraries; yet there is a doubt,If one be better with them or without,Unless he use them wisely, and, indeed,Knows the high art of what and how to read.”

“Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made.”

“I'm growing fonder of my staff; I'm growing dimmer in my eyes; I'm growing fainter in my laugh; I'm growing deeper in my sighs; I'm growing careless of my dress; I'm growing frugal of my gold; I'm ...”

“It was six men of Hindustan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind) That each by observation Might satisfy the mind.”

“And so these men of Hindustan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right And all were in the wrong. So oft in theologic wars, Th...”

“Again I hear the creaking step! — He's rapping at the door! — Too well I know the boding soundThat ushers in a bore.”

“In vain I speak of urgent tasks;In vain I scowl and pout;A frown is no extinguisher — It does not put him out!”

“He takes the strangest liberties — But never takes his leave!”

“Young men! it 's a critical thing to goExactly right with a lady in tow;But when you are in the proper track,Just go ahead, and never look back!”

“Don't use strong drink, — pray let me advise, — It 's bad for the stomach, and ruins the eyes;”

“INGLORIOUS friend! most confident I amThy life is one of very little ease;Albeit men mock thee with their similesAnd prate of being happy as a clam!”

“God bless the man who first invented sleep!So Sancho Panza said, and so say I.”

“But blast the man, with curses loud and deep,Whate'er the rascal's name, or age, or station,Who first invented, and went round advising,That artificial cut-off, — Early Rising!”

“I like the lad who, when his father thoughtTo clip his morning nap by hackneyed phraseOf vagrant worm by early songster caught,Cried, Served him right! — it's not at all surprising;The worm was pun...”

“Once more, my gallant boys! he cried:Three times! — you know the fable, — (I'll make it thirty, muttered he, But I will lay the cable!)”

“NAY, weep not, dearest, though the child be dead;He lives again in Heaven's unclouded life,”

“What Lowely meant she didn't knowFor she always avoided everything low,”

“I'm growing fonder of my staff;I'm growing dimmer in the eyes;I'm growing fainter in my laugh;I'm growing deeper in my sighs;I'm growing careless of my dress;I'm growing frugal of my gold;I'm growi...”