Edward Young

Edward Young

Poet, Playwright

Edward Young was an English poet known for his reflective work 'Night Thoughts', which explores themes of mortality and the human experience.

Men Literature Nature Heaven Death Wise
Born
January 1, 1683
Died
January 1, 1765
Quotes
224
Rank
#3851

About Edward Young

Edward Young — Life and Legacy

Edward Young, an influential English poet of the 18th century, is best known for his poignant work 'Night Thoughts'. This collection of poems delves deeply into themes of mortality, time, and the human condition, reflecting Young's introspective nature. His writing often grapples with the complexities of existence, as seen in his quote, 'Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday', which critiques the tendency to delay living fully in the present. Young's exploration of fear and suffering is encapsulated in his assertion that 'The man who is afraid of suffering is already suffering from what he fears', highlighting the psychological struggles inherent in the human experience. Through 'Night Thoughts', Young not only challenged the poetic norms of his time but also provided readers with profound insights into their own lives, making his reflections on life and death resonate even today.

Quote collection

Edward Young quotes (page 1 of 12)

224 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"A soul without reflection, like a pile Without inhabitant, to ruin runs."

Running Reflection Soul
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"Narcissus is the glory of his race: For who does nothing with a better grace?."

Race Doe Glory
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"How poor, how rich, how abject, how august, How complicate, how wonderful, is man!... Midway from nothing to the Deity!"

Men August Deities
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"Early, bright, transient, chaste as morning dew, She sparkled, was exhaled, and went to heaven."

Morning Heaven Dew
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"The clouds may drop down titles and estates, and wealth may seek us, but wisdom must be sought."

Wisdom Clouds Titles
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"Who lives to Nature, rarely can be poor ; who lives to fancy, never can be rich."

Nature Fancy Rich
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"'T is impious in a good man to be sad."

Men Good Man
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"Leisure is pain; take off our chariot wheels; how heavily we drag the load of life!"

Pain Leisure Wheels
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"Sense is our helmet, wit is but the plume; The plume exposes, 'tis our helmet saves. Sense is the diamond, weighty, solid, sound; When cut by wit, it casts a brighter beam; Yet, wit apart, it is a diamond still."

Cutting Sound Beam
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"Life is the desert, life the solitude, death joins us to the great majority."

Life Sympathy Death
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"Some for renown, on scraps of learning dote, And think they grow immortal as they quote."

Learning Thinking Training
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Edward Young Poet, Playwright
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"We bleed, we tremble; we forget, we smile - The mind turns fool, before the cheek is dry"

Smile Mind Dry
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