Quotes from work
Night-Thoughts

Edward Young

The Complaint: or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, & Immortality, better known simply as Night-Thoughts, is a long poem by Edward Young published in nine parts between 1742 and 1745.

Edward Young photo

“The house of laughter makes a house of woe.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night VIII, Line 757.

Edward Young photo

“By night an atheist half believes a God.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night V, Line 177.

Edward Young photo

“Be wise today; 'tis madness to defer.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night I, Line 390.

Edward Young photo

“Pygmies are pygmies still, though percht on Alps;
And pyramids are pyramids in vales.
Each man makes his own stature, builds himself.
Virtue alone outbuilds the Pyramids;
Her monuments shall last when Egypt’s fall.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night VI, Line 309.

Edward Young photo

“Wishing, of all employments, is the worst.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night IV, Line 71.

Edward Young photo

“The course of Nature is the art of God.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night IX, Line 1267.

Edward Young photo

“Heaven’s Sovereign saves all beings but himself
That hideous sight,—a naked human heart.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night III, Line 226.

Edward Young photo

“A friend is worth all hazards we can run.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night II, Line 571.

Edward Young photo

“The bell strikes one. We take no note of time
But from its loss.”

Edward Young Night-Thoughts

Source: Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), Night I, Line 55.