John Godfrey Saxe quotes

John Godfrey Saxe was an American poet and satirist, recognized for his witty verse and social commentary. His version of the Indian parable "The Blind Men and the Elephant" remains especially famous. He contributed significantly to American literature with his humor and insight. Here are 22 of his quotes:

God bless the man who first invented sleep!" So Sancho Panza said, and so say I.

John Godfrey Saxe

But blast the man, with curses loud and deep, Whate'er the rascal's name, or age, or station, Who first invented, and went round advising, That artificial cut-off, Early Rising!

John Godfrey Saxe

It was six men of Hindustan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind) That each by observation Might satisfy the mind.

John Godfrey Saxe

T is wise to learn; 't is God-like to create.

John Godfrey Saxe

I asked of Echo 't other day (Whose words are few and often funny), What to a novice she could say Of courtship, love, and matrimony. Quoth Echo, plainly, - "Matter-o'-money."

John Godfrey Saxe

I'm growing fonder of my staff; I'm growing dimmer in the eyes; I'm growing fainter in my laugh; I'm growing deeper in my sighs; I'm growing careless of my dress; I'm growing frugal of my gold; I'm growing wise; I'm growing - yes, - I'm growing old!

John Godfrey Saxe

Young men! it 's a critical thing to go Exactly right with a lady in tow; But when you are in the proper track, Just go ahead, and never look back!

John Godfrey Saxe

The Poet's License! - 't is the right, Within the rule of duty, To look on all delightful things Throughout the world of beauty. To gaze with rapture at the stars That in the skies are glowing; To see the gems of perfect dye That in the woods are growing, - And more than sage astronomer, And more than learned florist, To read the glorious homilies Of Firmament and Forest.

John Godfrey Saxe

When Nature gives a gorgeous rose, Or yields the simplest fern, She writes this motto on the leaves, - "To whom it may concern!" And so it is the poet comes And revels in her bowers, And, - though another hold the land, Is owner of the flowers.

John Godfrey Saxe

INGLORIOUS friend! most confident I am Thy life is one of very little ease; Albeit men mock thee with their similes And prate of being "happy as a clam!"

John Godfrey Saxe

Bless me! this is pleasant Riding on the Rail.

John Godfrey Saxe

Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made.

John Godfrey Saxe

"Once more, my gallant boys!" he cried: "Three times! - you know the fable, - (I'll make it thirty," muttered he, "But I will lay the cable!")

John Godfrey Saxe

NAY, weep not, dearest, though the child be dead; He lives again in Heaven's unclouded life.

John Godfrey Saxe

Don't use strong drink, - pray let me advise, - It 's bad for the stomach, and ruins the eyes.

John Godfrey Saxe

And so these men of Hindustan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right And all were in the wrong. So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

John Godfrey Saxe

Again I hear the creaking step! - He's rapping at the door! - Too well I know the boding sound That ushers in a bore.

John Godfrey Saxe

He takes the strangest liberties - But never takes his leave!

John Godfrey Saxe

A youth would marry a maiden, For fair and fond was she; But their sires disputed about the Mass, And so it might not be.

John Godfrey Saxe