—Shakespeare.
1841
MAN'S LITTLENESS IN PRESENCE OF THE STARS.
Thou, proud man, look upon yon starry vault,
Survey the countless gems which richly stud
The night's imperial chariot;—Telescopes
Will show the myriads more, innumerous
As the sea-sand:—each of those little lamps
Is the great source of light, the central sun
Round which some other mighty sisterhood
Of planets travel,—every planet stocked
With living beings impotent, as thee.
Now, proud man—now, where is thy greatness fled?
What art thou in the scale of universe?
Less, less than nothing!
—Henry Kirke White.
1842
The stars govern men, but God governs the stars.
1843
No man can be expected to be wise on an empty stomach.