Quotes by Christopher Smart

“For there is a sound reasoning upon all flowers. For flowers are peculiarly the poetry of Christ.”

“Thomas Gray walks as if he had fouled his small-clothes and looks as if he smelt it.”

“For every house is incomplete without him, and a blessing is lacking in the spirit”

For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.

For I prophecy that men will learn the use of their knees.For every thing that can be done in that posture (upon the knees) is better so done than otherwise.For I prophecy that they will understand the blessing and virtue of the rain.For rain is exceedingly good for the human body.

O guide my judgment and my taste,Sweet Spirit, author of the bookOf wonders, told in language chasteAnd plainness, not to be mistook. O let me muse, and yet at sightThe page admire, the page believe;Let there be light, and there was light,Let there be Paradise and Eve!Who his souls rapture can refrain?At Josephs ever pleasing taleOf marvels, the prodigious train,To Sinais hill from Goshens vale.The psalmist and proverbial seer,And all the prophets sons of song,Make all things precious, all things dear,And bear the brilliant word along. O take the book from off the shelf,And con it meekly on thy knees;Best panegyric on itself,And self-avouchd to teach and please.Respect, adore it heart and mind.How greatly sweet, how sweetly grand,Who reads the most, is most refindd,And polishd by the Masters hand.

For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with his elegant quickness...For when his days work is done his business more properly begins.For he keeps the Lords watch in the night against adversary.For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin & glaring eyes.