33 Quotes & Sayings By John Greenleaf Whittier

John Greenleaf Whittier was the first American poet to win a Nobel Prize, in 1892. He was also one of the most popular poets of his day and a widely recognized leader of so-called "Victorian" Christian thought. He was a Quaker and a member of the Society of Friends, who rejected violence, war, and slavery so strongly that he was forced to leave the United States for England in 1847. He lived there until his death in 1892 Read more

In England, Whittier's reputation as a teacher and preacher grew. He became a leading figure among the liberal religious reformers, writing many letters to The Times on political and social subjects. In 1856 he published his first volume of poetry, Two Years Before the Mast.

His most significant contribution to poetry is his collection Poems of Two Centuries (1888), which includes versions of some of his early poems in English verse form.

Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest...
1
Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been. John Greenleaf Whittier
2
So all night long the storm roared on: The morning broke without a sun; In tiny spherule traced with lines Of Nature’s geometric signs, In starry flake, and pellicle, All day the hoary meteor fell; And, when the second morning shone, We looked upon a world unknown, On nothing we could call our own. Around the glistening wonder bent The blue walls of the firmament, No cloud above, no earth below, – A universe of sky and snow! . John Greenleaf Whittier
The joy that you give to others is the joy...
3
The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you John Greenleaf Whittier
4
The tints of autumn...a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost. John Greenleaf Whittier
5
Methinks I see the sunset light flooding the river valley, the western hills stretching to the horizon, overhung with trees gorgeous and glowing with the tints of autumn -- a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost. John Greenleaf Whittier
6
Peace hath higher tests of manhood Than battle ever knew. John Greenleaf Whittier
7
Our toil is sweet with thankfulness Our burden is our boon The curse of earth's gray morning is The blessing of its noon. John Greenleaf Whittier
8
Reason's voice and God's Nature's and Duty's never are at odds. John Greenleaf Whittier
9
Through the dark and stormy night Faith beholds a feeble light Up the blackness streaking Knowing God's own time is best In a patient hope I rest For the full day-breaking! John Greenleaf Whittier
10
The craven's fear is but selfishness like his merriment. John Greenleaf Whittier
11
"Shoot if you must this old gray head But spare your country's flag " she said. John Greenleaf Whittier
12
No longer forward nor behind I look in hope or fear But grateful take the good I find The best of now and here. John Greenleaf Whittier
13
Who fathoms the Eternal Thought? Who talks of scheme and plan? The Lord is God! He needeth not The poor device of man. John Greenleaf Whittier
14
Yet in the maddening maze of things And tossed by storm and flood To one fixed trust my spirit clings I know that God is good! John Greenleaf Whittier
15
Before me even as behind God is and all is well. John Greenleaf Whittier
16
"I'm sorry that I spell'd the word I hate to go above you Because" - the brown eyes lower fell - "Because you see I love you! " John Greenleaf Whittier
17
Every chain that spirits wear crumbles in the breadth of prayer. John Greenleaf Whittier
18
The simple heart that freely asks in love obtains. John Greenleaf Whittier
19
For of all sad words of tongues or pen the saddest are these: It might have been. John Greenleaf Whittier
20
We search the world for truth we cull The good the pure the beautiful From all old flower fields of the soul And weary seekers of the best We come back laden from our quest To find that all the sages said Is in the Book our mothers read. John Greenleaf Whittier
21
The windows of my soul I throw Wide open to the sun. John Greenleaf Whittier
22
Of all sad words of tongue or pen the saddest are these: It might have been. John Greenleaf Whittier
23
No longer forward nor behind I look in hope or fear but grateful take the good I find the best of now and here. John Greenleaf Whittier
24
For of all sad words of tongue or pen The saddest are these: "It might have been! " John Greenleaf Whittier
25
As a small businessperson, you have no greater leverage than the truth. John Greenleaf Whittier
26
When faith is lost, when honor dies, the man is dead. John Greenleaf Whittier
27
Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well. John Greenleaf Whittier
28
For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'. John Greenleaf Whittier
29
Peace hath higher tests of manhood, than battle ever knew. John Greenleaf Whittier
30
The smile of God is victory. John Greenleaf Whittier
31
Tradition wears a snowy beard, romance is always young. John Greenleaf Whittier
32
All the windows of my heart I open to the day. John Greenleaf Whittier