Anne Bradstreet (1612–1672)

“Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge—fitter to bruise than polish.”

“Fire hath its force abated by water, not by wind, and anger must be allayed by cold words, and not by blustering threats.”

“I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold or all the riches that the East doth hold.”

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

“My hope and treasure lies above.”

“We must, therefore, be here as strangers and pilgrims, that we may plainly declare that we seek a city above.”

“The skillful fisher has several baits for several fish, but there is a hook under all; Satan, that great angler, has his sundry bait for sundry tempers of men, which they all catch greedily at, but few perceive the hook till it be too late.”

“Sin and shame ever go together—he that would be freed from the last, must be sure to shun the company of the first.”

“Sweet words are like honey, a little may refresh, but too much gluts the stomach.”

“There is no object that we see, no action that we do, no good that we enjoy, no evil that we feel or fear, but we may make some spiritual advantage of all. He that makes such improvement is wise, as well as pious.”

What to my Saviour shall I give

Who freely hath done this for me?

I'll serve him here whilst I shall live

And Love him to Eternity

“Youth is the time of getting, middle age of improving, and old age of spending. A negligent youth is usually attended by an ignorant middle age, and both by an empty old age.”