Quotes by Anne Bradstreet

Authority without wisdom is like a heavy ax without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.
– Anne Bradstreet
If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee.
– Anne Bradstreet
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.
– Anne Bradstreet
If what I do prove well, it won't advance. They'll say it's stolen, or else it was by chance.
– Anne Bradstreet
Iron till it be thoroughly heated is incapable to be wrought; so God sees good to cast some men into the furnace of affliction, and then beats them on his anvil into what frame he pleases.
– Anne Bradstreet
Let Greeks be Greeks, and women what they are.
– Anne Bradstreet
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: and he that makes such improvement is wise, as well as pious.
– Anne Bradstreet
Youth is the time of getting, middle age of improving, and old age of spending.
– Anne Bradstreet
When by the Ruins oft I past
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast
And here and there the places spy
Where oft I sate and long did lie.
Here stood that Trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best,
My pleasant things in ashes lie
And them behold no more shall I.
Under the roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall 'ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle 'ere shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom's voice ere heard shall bee.
In silence ever shalt thou lie.
– Anne Bradstreet