Can wealth give happiness? look round and see
What gay distress! what splendid misery!
Whatever fortunes lavishly can pour,
The mind annihilates, and calls for more.Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet
Poem (1727), “The Universal Passion: Satire 5,” l. 394ff, Love of Fame, the Universal Passion (1728)
(Source)
Quotations by:
Young, Edward
When most the world applauds you, most beware;
‘Tis often less a blessing than a snare.Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet
Poem (1727), “The Universal Passion: Satire 6,” Love of Fame, the Universal Passion (1728)
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At thirty, man suspects himself a fool;
Knows it at forty, and reforms his plan;
At fifty, chides his infamous delay,
Pushes his prudent purpose to resolve;
In all the magnanimity of thought
Resolves, and re-resolves; then dies the same.
And why? Because he thinks himself immortal.
All men think all men mortal but themselves.Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet
Poem (1742-05), “Night the 1st: On Death, Life, and Immortality,” l. 418ff, The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts, Vol. 1 (1744)
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Who does the best his circumstance allows
Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more.Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet
Poem (1742-11), “Night the 2nd: On Time, Death, and Friendship,” ll. 91-92, The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts, Vol. 1 (1744)
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Like our shadows,
Our wishes lengthen, as our sun declines.Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet
Poem (1743-12), “Night the 5th: The Relapse,” ll. 661-662, The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts, Vol. 1 (1744)
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The man that blushes is not quite a brute.
Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet
Poem (1744-07), “Night the 7th: The Infidel Reclaimed,” l. 496, The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts, Vol. 2 (1748)
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Man’s greatest strength is shown in standing still.
Edward Young (1683–1765) English poet
Poem (1745-03), “Night the 8th: Virtue’s Apology,” l. 922, The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts, Vol. 2 (1748)
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