Pithy quotes from Isaac Watts

(1674 – 1748)

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What bliss will fill the ransomed souls — when they in glory dwell,
to see the sinner as he rolls — in quenchless flames of Hell!

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Vice and virtue chiefly imply the relation of our actions to men in this world.
Sin and holiness rather imply their relation to God and the eternal world.

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Custom and authority are no sure evidence of truth.

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There is a dreadful Hell,
And everlasting pains;
There sinners must with devils dwell
In darkness, fire, and chains!

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There is no repentance in the grave!

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Prayer is a sacred and appointed means to obtain all the blessings that we need — whether they relate to this life or the life to come.

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I would not change my blessed estate — for all the world calls good or great!

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The very substance which last week was grazing in the field, waving in the milk pail, or growing in the garden — has now become part of the man.

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Satan always finds some mischief for idle hands to do.

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To be angry about trifles, is base and childish.
To rage and be furious about trifles, is brutish.
To maintain perpetual wrath about trifles, is akin to the practice and temper of devils.
But to prevent and suppress rising resentment, is wise and glorious, is manly and divine.

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Abandon the secret chamber of prayer — and the spiritual life will decay.

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Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease — while others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?

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In matters of equity between man and man — our Savior has taught us to put my neighbor in place of myself, and myself in place of my neighbor.

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Love is amazing, so divine — demands my soul, my life, my all.

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There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign;
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain!

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Disputation carries away the mind from that calm and sedate temper which is so necessary to contemplate truth. It would be of great use to us to form our deliberate judgments of persons and things in the calmest and serenest hours of life, when the passions of nature are all silent, and the mind enjoys its most perfect composure.

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Though reading and conversation may furnish us with many ideas of men and things — yet it is our own meditation must form our judgment.

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Do not be deceived — happiness and enjoyment do not lie in wicked ways!

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Preserve your conscience always soft and sensitive. If but one sin forces its way into that tender part of the soul and dwells there — the road is paved for a thousand iniquities.

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Reason is the glory of human nature — and the chief eminence whereby we are raised above our fellow-creatures, the brutes, in this lower world.

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Learning to trust God — is one of life's most difficult tasks.

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Among all the accomplishments of life, there is none preferable to . . .
  a decent and agreeable behavior when among others,
  a modest freedom of speech,
  a soft and elegant manner of address,
  a graceful and lovely deportment,
  a cheerful gravity,
  a mind appearing ever serene under the ruffling afflictions of human life.

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Whatever brawls disturb the street — there should be peace at home.

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The tulip and the butterfly
Appear in gayer coats than I.
Let me be dressed fine as I will,
Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me still!

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Our life contains a thousand springs,
And dies if one be gone.
Strange! that a harp of thousand strings
Should keep in tune so long!

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What's amiss — I'll strive to mend,
And endure what can't be mended.

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In common discourse we denominate persons and things according to the major part of their character. He is to be called a wise man who has but few follies.

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When I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes!

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At books, or work, or healthy play,
Let all my years be passed;
That I may give for every day
A good account at last!

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Instructors should not only be skillful in those sciences which they teach — but have skill in the method of teaching, and patience in the practice.

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Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I,
To mourn, and murmur and repine,
To see the wicked placed on high,
In pride and robes of honor shine.
But oh, their end, their dreadful end,
Your sanctuary taught me so,
On slippery rocks I see them stand,
And fiery billows roll below!

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Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

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Whene'er I take my walks abroad,
How many poor I see!
What shall I render to my God
For all his gifts to me?

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Talking over the things which you have read with your companions, fixes them on the mind.

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Do not expect to arrive at certainty in every subject which you pursue. There are a hundred things wherein we mortals must be content with probability, where our best light and reasoning will reach no farther.

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Christ has the keys of death; and the gates of eternal life are in His keeping!

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I go to my best Friend, my Friend in Heaven, when my friends here neglect me.

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How does the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!