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)
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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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