Thomas Traherne Quotes (22 Quotes)

An empty book is like an infant's soul, in which anything may be written. It is capable of all things, but containeth nothing. I have a mind to fill this with profitable wonders.

Had we not loved ourselves at all, we could never have been obliged to love anything. So that self-love is the basis of all love.

Certainly Adam in Paradise had not more sweet and curious apprehensions of the world, than I when I was a child.

Happiness was not made to be boasted, but enjoyed. Therefore tho others count me miserable, I will not believe them if I know and feel myself to be happy; nor fear them.

I will not by the noise of bloody wars and the dethroning of kings advance you to glory but by the gentle ways of peace and love.

The Men O what venerable and reverend creatures did the aged seem Immortal Cherubims And young men glittering and sparkling angels, and maids strange seraphic pieces of life and beauty Boys and girls tumbling in the street, and playing, were moving j.

The soul is made for action, and cannot rest till it be employed. Idleness is its rust. Unless it will up and think and taste and see, all is in vain.

How like an angel came I down.

To love one person with a private love is poor and miserable: to love all is glorious.

This visible world is wonderfully to be delighted in, and highly to be esteemed, because it is the theatre of God's righteous Kingdom.

It is of the nobility of man's soul that he is insatiable for he hath a benefactor so prone to give, that he delighteth in us for asking. Do not your inclinations tell you that the world is yours Do you not covet all Do you not long to have it to en.

Is it not strange, that an infant should be heir of the whole world, and see those mysteries which the books of the learned never unfold.

Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed: our love to others, and others love to us.

A little grit in the eye destroyeth the sight of the very heavens, and a little malice or envy a world of joys. One wry principle in the mind is of infinite consequence.

You never know yourself till you know more than your body.

To think the world therefore a general Bedlam, or place of madmen, and oneself a physician, is the most necessary point of present wisdom: an important imagination, and the way to happiness.

Your enjoyment of the world is never right, till every morning you awake in Heaven: see yourself in your Father's palace; and look upon the skies, the earth, and the air as celestial joys: having such a reverend esteem of all, as if you were among the angels.

You never enjoy the world aright, till the sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens and crowned with the stars.

The corn was orient and immortal wheat, which never should be reaped, nor was ever sown. I thought it had stood from everlasting to everlasting.

This moment exhibits infinite space, but there is a space also wherein all moments are infinitely exhibited, and the everlasting duration of infinite space is another region and room of joys.

All men see the same objects, but do not equally understand them. Intelligence is the tongue that discerns and tastes them.

More company increases happiness, but does not lighten or diminish misery.