Robert Southwell Quotes & Sayings

Christianity is warfare, and Christians are spiritualsoldiers. — Robert Southwell

My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns;Love is the fire and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns;The fuel Justice layeth on, and Mercy blows the coals;The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defiled souls. — Robert Southwell

Times go by turns, and chances change by course, from foul to fair, from better hap to worse. — Robert Southwell

When Fortune smiles, I smile to think how quickly she will frown. — Robert Southwell

Lingering labors come to naught. — Robert Southwell

The path to Heaven is narrow, rough and full of wearisome and trying ascents, nor can it be trodden without great toil; and therefore wrong is their way, gross their error, and assured their ruin who, after the testimony of so many thousands of saints, will not learn where to settle their footing. — Robert Southwell

The saddest birds a season find to sing,The roughest storm a calm may soon allay;Thus with succeeding turns God tempereth all,That men may hope to rise yet fear to fall. — Robert Southwell

Time wears all his locks before,Take thy hold upon his forehead;When he flies he turns no more,And behind his scalp is naked.Works adjourn'd have many stays,Long demurs breed new delays. — Robert Southwell

No joy so great but runneth to an end,No hap so hard but may in fine amend. — Robert Southwell

Few have all they need, none all they wish. — Robert Southwell

Shun delays, they breed remorse;Take thy time while time is lent thee;Creeping snails have weakest force,Fly their fault lest thou repent thee.Good is best when soonest wrought,Linger'd labours come to nought. — Robert Southwell

God gave Himself to you: give yourself to God. — Robert Southwell

Plough not the seas, sow not the sands,Leave off your idle pain;Seek other mistress for your minds,Love's service is in vain. — Robert Southwell

Hoist up sail while gale doth last, Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure. — Robert Southwell

Gift better than Himself God doth not know,
Gift better than God no man can see;
This gift doth here the giver given bestow
Gift to this gift let each receiver be;
God is my gift, Himself He freely gave me,
God's gift am I, and none but God shall have me. — Robert Southwell

My conscience is my crown,Contented thoughts my rest;My heart is happy in itself,My bliss is in my breast.Enough I reckon wealth;A mean the surest lot,That lies too high for base contempt,Too low for envy's shot. — Robert Southwell

What thought can think, another thought can mend. — Robert Southwell

As in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow,Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near,A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear. — Robert Southwell

I wealthiest am when richest in remorse. — Robert Southwell

My mind to me an empire is. — Robert Southwell

Where sin was hatched, let tears now wash the nest. — Robert Southwell