James Thomson
James Thomson
Scottish poet, dramatist, and lyricist known for his poetry collection The Seasons and for the text of the song "Rule, Brittania! His last work, The Castle of Indolence, was published just before his early death.
NationalityScottish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth11 September 1700
good offence
I think a bishop who doesn't give offence to anyone is probably not a good bishop.
britons rule
Rule, Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never will be slaves.
form happiness others people
That which makes people dissatisfied with their condition, is the chimerical idea they form of the happiness of others
life shapes whose
For life is but a dream whose shapes return, some frequently, some seldom, some by night and some by day.
death forever good heart life mind rolls round
The world rolls round forever like a mill; it grinds out death and life and good and ill; it has no purpose, heart or mind or will.
caution courage firm sure
More firm and sure the hand of courage strikes, when it obeys the watchful eye of caution.
ask easier generous offence tis
Tis easier for the generous to forgive, than for offence to ask it.
corruption natural peace state war
Peace is the happy natural state of man; war is corruption and disgrace.
imagination nature paint
But who can paint like Nature? Can imagination boast, amid its gay creation, hues like hers?
enthusiasm meet moral poetical ready sentiment subject works
I know no subject more elevating, more amazing, more ready to the poetical enthusiasm, the philosophical reflection, and the moral sentiment than the works of nature. Where can we meet such variety, such beauty, such magnificence?
exercise fitness health principle vital
Health is the vital principle of bliss, and exercise, of health.
life statues verse
Statues and pictures and verse may be grand, But they are not the Life for which they stand.