“So now, from this mad passionWhich made me take art for an idol and a kingI have learnt the burden of error that it boreAnd what misfortune springs from man's desire... The world's frivolities have robbed me of the timeThat I was given for reflecting upon God.”

“They are idols of hearts and of households;They are angels of God in disguise;The sunlight still sleeps in their tresses,His glory still gleams in their eyes,These truants from home and from heaven,They have made me more manly and mild;And I know now how Jesus could likenThe kingdom of God to a child.”

“I learned to look more upon the bright side of my condition, and less upon the dark side, and to consider what I enjoyed, rather than what I wanted : and this gave me sometimes such secret comforts, that I cannot express them ; and which I take notice of here, to put those discontented people in mind of it, who cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them, because they see and covet something that he has not given them. All our discontents about what we want appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.”

“The dearest idol I have known,Whate'er that idol be,Help me to tear it from thy throne,And worship only thee.So shall my walk be close with God,Calm and serene my frame;So purer light shall mark the roadThat leads me to the Lamb.”

“Those people cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them because they see and covet what He has not given them. All of our discontents for what we want appear to me to spring from want of thankfulness for what we have.”

“Suppose for a moment that God began taking from us the many things for which we have failed to give thanks. Which of our limbs and faculties would be left? Would I still have my hands and my mind? And what about loved ones? If God were to take from me all those persons and things for which I have not given thanks, who or what would be left of me?”