3 Quotes & Sayings By Ella Wilcox Wheeler

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was born in 1866 in New York City, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. She was raised in the small towns of North Carolina and Alabama before attending Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Ella married architect Robert Wilcox in 1895; together they had three children. Ella began writing poetry in her mid-20s Read more

Her first book, Poems (1898), was well received by reviewers and readers alike. Her second book, Leaves of Grass (1900), is generally considered her best work. Its title is taken from Walt Whitman's poem "Song of Myself." Wilcox's poems contain images that reflect her deep knowledge of nature and the human condition.

"I am not afraid to go naked to nature," she wrote, "even in this age when all its forces are drawing me back into themselves."

The fortunate is he whose earnest purpose never swerves, Whose...
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The fortunate is he whose earnest purpose never swerves, Whose slightest action or inaction serves The one great aim. Why, even Death stands still, And waits an hour sometimes For such a will. Ella Wilcox Wheeler
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Which Are You?"There are two kinds of people on earth to-day; Just two kinds of people, no more, I say. Not the sinner and saint, for it's well understood, The good are half bad, and the bad are half good. Not the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth, You must first know the state of his conscience and health. Not the humble and proud, for in life's little span, Who puts on vain airs, is not counted a man. Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears. No; the two kinds of people on earth I mean, Are the people who lift, and the people who lean. Wherever you go, you will find the earth's masses, Are always divided in just these two classes. And oddly enough, you will find too, I ween, There's only one lifter to twenty who lean. In which class are you? Are you easing the load, Of overtaxed lifters, who toil down the road? Or are you a leaner, who lets others share Your portion of labor, and worry and care? . Ella Wilcox Wheeler