Olney Hymn 7: Vanity of the World
God gives his mercies to be spent;
Your hoard will do your soul no good.
Gold is a blessing only lent,
Repaid by giving others food.
The world's esteem is but a bribe,
To buy their peace you sell your own;
The slave of a vainglorious tribe,
Who hate you while they make you known.
The joy that vain amusements give,
Oh! sad conclusion that it brings!
The honey of a crowded hive,
Defended by a thousand stings.
'Tis thus the world rewards the fools
That live upon her treacherous smiles:
She leads them blindfold by her rules,
And ruins all whom she beguiles.
God knows the thousands who go down
From pleasure into endless woe;
And with a long despairing groan
Blaspheme the Maker as they go.
Oh fearful thought! be timely wise;
Delight but in a Saviour's charms,
And God shall take you to the skies,
Embraced in everlasting arms.
poem by William Cowper
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Vanity of the World
God gives his mercies to be spent;
Your hoard will do your soul no good.
Gold is a blessing only lent,
Repaid by giving others food.
The world's esteem is but a bribe,
To buy their peace you sell your own;
The slave of a vainglorious tribe,
Who hate you while they make you known.
The joy that vain amusements give,
Oh! sad conclusion that it brings!
The honey of a crowded hive,
Defended by a thousand stings.
'Tis thus the world rewards the fools
That live upon her treacherous smiles:
She leads them blindfold by her rules,
And ruins all whom she beguiles.
God knows the thousands who go down
From pleasure into endless woe;
And with a long despairing groan
Blaspheme the Maker as they go.
Oh fearful thought! be timely wise;
Delight but in a Saviour's charms,
And God shall take you to the skies,
Embraced in everlasting arms.
poem by William Cowper
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A world of HATE
A world of HATE is what this is.
When you say you HATE someone
That's not what you really mean
You're talking about something else
And you don't really HATE them
HATE is one of the biggest mysteries
In the life that we live
Why do you HATE
Who,
Do you really?
HATE leads to another world,
More horrible than self knows of
HATE leads to unwanted power
That scars someones soul or physically worse
Murder, crime and suicide
Hurtful words and back stabbers and war
All start form one little word
HATE
So when you say you HATE someone,
But you can't describe how you really feel
Reconsider and don't live
In a world of HATE
poem by Golden Heart
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My Thoughts
Thought in the eyes,
The ears.
Thought in mind,
The brain,
Thought in heart,
The soul.
Great thought is great
when it becomes great deeds.
With my thoughts within
Building my world within
Learning with thought;
Is great learning wisdom.
Learning without thought,
Is opportunity lost.
Thought for others
Thought for God
Thought for good
Thought for God’s blessing
Thoughts teach me,
Thoughts educate me,
Thoughts clarify me,
Thoughts enlighten me.
Thoughts make me wise
Thoughts make me patience
Thoughts make me trust others
Thoughts make me clam.
Thoughts before act
Is smart and wise
Act before thoughts
Is stupid and foolish
That’s my thoughts
They make thinking clear
They make belief deepen
They make confidence high.
In thoughts, my world
In my world, make my thoughts.
In thoughts, my words
In my words, make my speech
It’s my thoughts count
Counting my thoughts
To endless counting thoughts
Thinking the thoughts endlessly
My thoughts and thoughts again.
poem by Lawrence Hiung
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet: Life Has Mixed Fortunes
If not for fools, how can some be called wise?
If not for blunders, how can learning thrive?
If not for cowards, brave men would be mice;
If not for honey-bees, where is the hive?
If not for evil, what use would be good?
If not for vices, where would be virtues?
If not for money, where would be sainthood?
If not for worldliness, God needn't review.
A corrupt world makes honest folk steadfast;
An unfair world sets good men fight a cause;
A rainy day comes from a sky o'er-cast;
Our food must have both bread and to dip, sauce.
If not for darkness, why should man need light?
If not for devils, men wouldn't need God's might,
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
What The World Is Waiting For
Here comes the wise man
And there goes the fool
You see that burnt out world that he is living in
I don't need to look for the rules
Here comes the donkey
Chained to a ten ton plough
He'll never make that hill in a million years
Whip crack beating down
He loves his brother but he'd sell him for a fistful of gold
He needs a slave for his vision of the promised land
No I don't believe a word
Take me any way the wind blows
You'll never know just what you want to do
Or where you wanna go i think it's time
That you found what the world is waiting for
I think it's time to get real
Here comes the wise man
And there goes the fool
You see that burnt out world that he is living in
I don't need to look for the rules
Here comes the donkey
Chained to a ten ton plough
He'll never make that hill in a million years
Whip crack beating down
Anytime you want it then it's there
All you gotta do is stop it
On the corner and ask
Say hey you don't live today
Stop the world
Stop the world
I'm getting off
I'm getting off
Can't get enough
I'm getting off
song performed by by The Stone Roses from B-sides & Other Songs
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Worldling
My barns are full, my stores increase,
And now, for many years,
Soul, eat and drink, and take thine ease,
Secure from wants and fears.
Thus while a worldling boasted once,
As many now presume;
He heard the Lord himself pronounce
His sudden, aweful doom.
This night, vain fool, thy soul must pass
Into a world unknown;
And who shall then the stores possess
Which thou hast called thine own.
Thus blinded mortals fondly scheme
For happiness below;
Till death disturb the pleasing dream,
And they awake to woe.
Ah! who can speak the vast dismay
That fills the sinner's mind;
When torn, by death's strong hand, away,
He leaves his all behind.
Wretches, who cleave to earthly things,
But are not rich to God;
Their dying hour is full of stings,
And hell their dark abode.
Dear Saviour, make us timely wise,
Thy gospel to attend;
That we may live above the skies,
When this poor life shall end.
poem by John Newton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
First and Last
Hope smiles a welcome, if no other smiles,
Upon our entrance to this world of pain;
And on each purpose of our youth again,
With an inspiring sympathy, she smiles.
She leads us forth to battle, and beguiles
Our anguish when the long fight proves in vain;
Till, pierced by countless wounds, amongst the
slain
We leave her, while the victor foe reviles.
But even as we touch at ruin's verge,
And hear the voices of despair that urge
The fatal plunge to chaos, Hope alone,—
How healèd and how ransomed none may guess,—
Rising again in pallid loveliness,
Resumes her sway, a thousand times o'erthrown.
poem by Florence Earle Coates from Poems (1898)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
Vote! | Copy!
What The World Is Waitnig For
Here comes the wise man
And there goes the fool
Can you see the burned out world that he is living in
I dont need to look for the rules
Here comes the donkey
Chained ten ton plough
Hell never make that hill in a million years
Whip crack, beat him down
He loves his brother hed sell him for a fistful of gold
But he needs a slave for his vision of the promised land
No I dont believe a word
Take me any way the wind blows
Youll never know just what you want to do
Or where you wanna go I think its time
That you found what the world is waiting for
I think its time to get real
Repeat (here comes..)
Anytime you want it, then its there
All you gotta do is stop me
On the corner and ask
Say hey, you dont live today
Stop the world
Stop the world
Im getting off
Im getting off
Cant get enough
Im getting off
song performed by by Stone Roses
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
What The World Is Waiting For
Here comes the wise man
And there goes the fool
You see that burnt out world that he is living in
I dont need to look for the rules
Here comes the donkey
Chained to a ten ton plough
Hell never make that hill in a million years
Whip crack beating down
He loves his brother but hed sell him for a fistful of gold
He needs a slave for his vision of the promised land
No I dont believe a word
Take me any way the wind blows
Youll never know just what you want to do
Or where you wanna go I think its time
That you found what the world is waiting for
I think its time to get real
Here comes the wise man
And there goes the fool
You see that burnt out world that he is living in
I dont need to look for the rules
Here comes the donkey
Chained to a ten ton plough
Hell never make that hill in a million years
Whip crack beating down
Anytime you want it then its there
All you gotta do is stop it
On the corner and ask
Say hey you dont live today
Stop the world
Stop the world
Im getting off
Im getting off
Cant get enough
Im getting off
song performed by by Stone Roses
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Deciver Of Fools
He told the tale so many times
About the dream not meant to be
In a world of the free
He plays with your mind
As faith for the future faded fast
He grows strong with their displeasure
It sets him free
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
He rules with fear
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
He rules again
He feeds on fear
Poisons the truth
To gain their faith
To lead the way
To a world of decay
He rules your heart
He will sell your soul to the grave
No hesitation he'll make
He belongs to the dark
Please awake
And see the truth
He can only be
If you believe what he tells you
Remember who you are
What you stand for
And there will always be a way
In my heart there is a place
In my heart there is a trace
Of a small fire burning
A sheltering ray shines through this night
Although it 's small, it's bright
But darkness is lurking
He will sell your soul to bitterness and cold
Fear him
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
He rules with fear
Deceiver of hearts
Deceiver of fools
Shall he rule again?
song performed by by Within Temptation
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Song I
Lordly gallants! tell me this
(Though my safe content you weigh not),
In your greatness, what one bliss
Have you gained, that I enjoy not?
You have honours, you have wealth;
I have peace, and I have health:
All the day I merry make,
And at night no care I take.
Bound to none my fortunes be,
This or that man's fall I fear not;
Him I love that loveth me,
For the rest a pin I care not.
You are sad when others chaff,
And grow merry as they laugh;
I that hate it, and am free,
Laugh and weep as pleaseth me.
You may boast of favours shown,
Where your service is applied:
But my pleasures are mine own,
And to no man's humour tied.
You oft flatter, sooth, and feign;
I such baseness do disdain;
And to none be slave I would,
Though my fetters might be gold.
By great titles, some believe,
Highest honours are attained;
And yet kings have power to give
To their fools, what these have gained.
Where they favour there they may
All their names of honour lay;
But I look not raised to be,
'Till mine own wing carry me.
Seek to raise your titles higher;
They are toys not worth my sorrow;
Those that we to-day admire,
Prove the age's scorn to-morrow.
Take your honours; let me find
Virtue in a free born mind--
This, the greatest kings that be
Cannot give, nor take from me.
Though I vainly do not vaunt
Large demesnes, to feed my pleasure;
I have favours where you want,
That would buy respect with treasure.
You have lands lie here and there,
But my wealth is everywhere;
And this addeth to my store--
Fortune cannot make me poor.
Say you purchase with your pelf
Some respect, where you importune;
Those may love me for myself,
That regard you for your fortune.
Rich or born of high degree,
Fools as well as you may be;
But that peace in which I live
No descent nor wealth can give.
If you boast that you may gain
The respect of high-born beauties;
Know I never wooed in vain,
Nor preferrèd scornèd duties.
She I love hath all delight,
Rosy-red with lily-white,
And whoe'er your mistress be,
Flesh and blood as good as she.
Note of me was never took,
For my woman-like perfections;
But so like a man I look,
It hath gained me best affections.
For my love as many showers
Have been wept as have for yours:
And yet none doth me condemn
For abuse, or scorning them.
Though of dainties you have store,
To delight a choicer palate,
Yet your taste is pleased no more
Than is mine in one poor sallet.
You to please your senses feed
But I eat good blood to breed;
And am most delighted then
When I spend it like a man.
Though you lord it over me,
You in vain thereof have braved;
For those lusts my servants be
Whereunto your minds are slaved.
To yourselves you wise appear,
But, alas! deceived you are;
You do foolish me esteem,
And are that which I do seem.
When your faults I open lay,
You are moved, and mad with vexing;
But you ne'er could do or say
Aught to drive me to perplexing.
Therefore, my despisèd power
Greater is, by far, than your.
And, whate'er you think of me,
In your minds you poorer be.
You are pleasèd, more or less,
As men well or ill report you;
And show discontentedness,
When the times forbear to court you.
That in which my pleasures be,
No man can divide from me;
And my care it adds not to,
Whatso others say or do.
Be not proud, because you view
You by thousands are attended;
For, alas! it is not you,
But your fortune that's befriended.
Where I show of love have got,
Such a danger fear I not:
Since they nought can seek of me,
But for love, beloved to be.
When your hearts have everything,
You are pleasantly disposed:
But I can both laugh and sing,
Though my foes have me enclosed.
Yea, when dangers me do hem,
I delight in scorning them,
More than you in your renown,
Or a king can in his crown.
You do bravely domineer,
Whilst the sun upon you shineth:
Yet, if any storm appear,
Basely, then, your mind declineth.
But, or shine, or rain, or blow,
I my resolutions know--
Living, dying, thrall, or free,
At one height my mind shall be.
When in thraldom I have lain,
Me not worth your thought you prized;
But your malice was in vain,
For your favours I despised.
And, howe'er you value me,
I with praise shall thought on be
When the world esteems you not
And your names shall be forgot.
In these thoughts my riches are;
Now, though poor or mean you deem me,
I am pleased, and do not care
How the times or you esteem me.
For those toys that make you gay
Are but play-games for a day:
And when nature craves her due,
I as brave shall be as you.
poem by George Wither
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Church Without Walls
We serve a Saviour good as gold,
The greatest story ever told!
The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords,
Lifegiver of love's pure rewards...
We live by faith, we testify,
Eternal life can never die!
We fellowship both near and far,
To pray and wish upon a star.
Lord Jesus is that star, that light,
That shines for us by day and night!
Christ leads the Way to Heaven's Throne,
Reminding us we're not alone...
For in His Name, we daily walk
And of His glory we would talk,
To save the lost who need God's grace,
To see the Father in Christ's face...
Give praise with us and magnify,
Give glory to the Lord on high!
Let's preach and prophesy of Him,
Who daily fills us to the brim!
Thus we in all good works excel,
For Jesus, our Emmanuel...
Think not that we ourselves were good,
Or daily did the things we should,
For all, like sheep, have gone astray...
Till Calvary and Good Friday,
When Jesus bled and died to save
And Easter Sunday left His grave!
Then God's good Spirit helped men search
To find God's grace within the Church...
Yet now, without walls, we on Earth,
Will tell the world about His worth,
That all might know the Saviour's Name,
His light and His eternal flame,
His Book of Life, His destiny!
The King who died for you and me...
Thus of His Kingdom there's no end,
That's why we trust in Him, our friend,
Who one day will return and reign!
A thousand years of peace! Amen...
(May 2011)
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Hate You.....finally
I hate that for so long you had me so fooled
I hate that I defended you
I hate that I tried for as long as I did
I hate that I ever made you feel good
I hate the time I spent worrying about you
I hate the life I gave up because I loved you
I hate that you let me settle for you
I hate that I didn’t speak up for myself
I hate that I let you believe we were ok
I hate living with so much anger
I hate thinking of you in quiet times
I hate knowing you never really cared
I hate that I can’t pretend that you ever loved me really
I hate that I let you make me feel guilty
I hate that I ever blamed myself
I hate that I loved you when I was young
I hate the way you lie so easily
I hate that you use me to make yourself feel better
I hate that you use me so you don’t have to be alone
I hate that you never considered me first
I hate that you use everyone until they are used up
I hate that you take your kids for granted
I hate that they will love you in spite of that
I hate that I have to watch you hurt them
I hate the way I tell them you’re a good guy
I hate that they are young enough to believe it
I hate that someday they will see you for what you are
I hate that despite all that you won’t change
I hate that I have wasted so much of my life believing in you.
When you ask why I don’t love you anymore…………..I wonder why I ever loved you at all.
poem by Laura Craig
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Psalm 136 Abridged
God's wonders of creation, providence, redemption, and salvation.
Give to our God immortal praise;
Mercy and truth are all his ways:
Wonders of grace to God belong,
Repeat his mercies in your song.
Give to the Lord of lords renown,
The King of kings with glory crown:
His mercies ever shall endure,
When lords and kings are known no more.
He built the earth, he spread the sky,
And fixed the starry lights on high:
Wonders of grace to God belong,
Repeat his mercies in your song.
He fills the sun with morning light;
He bids the moon direct the night:
His mercies ever shall endure,
When suns and moons shall shine no more.
The Jews he freed from Pharaoh's hand,
And brought them to the promised land
Wonders of grace to God belong,
Repeat his mercies in your song.
He saw the Gentiles dead in sin,
And felt his pity work within
His mercies ever shall endure,
When death and sin shall reign no more.
He sent his Son with power to save
From guilt, and darkness, and the grave
Wonders of grace to God belong,
Repeat his mercies in your song.
Through this vain world he guides our feet,
And leads us to his heav'nly seat
His mercies ever shall endure,
When this vain world shall be no more.
poem by Isaac Watts
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
To This Moment a Rebel
To this moment a rebel I throw down my arms,
Great Love, at first sight of Olinda's bright charms.
Make proud and secure by such forces as these,
You may now play the tyrant as soon as you please.
When Innocence, Beauty, and Wit do conspire
To betray, and engage, and inflame my Desire,
Why should I decline what I cannot avoid?
And let pleasing Hope by base Fear be destroyed?
Her innocence cannot contrive to undo me,
Her beauty's inclined, or why should it pursue me?
And Wit has to Pleasure been ever a friend,
Then what room for Despair, since Delight is Love's end?
There can be no danger in sweetness and youth,
Where Love is secured by good nature and truth;
On her beauty I'll gaze and of pleasure complain
While every kind look adds a link to my chain.
'Tis more to maintain than it was to surprise,
But her Wit leads in triumpth the slave of her eyes;
I beheld, with the loss of my freedom before,
But hearing, forever must serve and adore.
Too bright is my Goddess, her temple too weak:
Retire, divine image! I feel my heart break.
Help, Love! I dissolve in a rapture of charms
At the thought of those joys I should meet in her arms.
poem by Lord John Wilmot
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Y... Food for the soul
Food for the body
I know of men, who do not have enough,
Lacking food and drink, their life is rough
Day in, day out they struggle for food
There is no time for any other good
Food for the ego
I know of men who have enough food and drink
So they have time for something else to think
Their egos are hungry for money, power and fame
Getting more, being restless, an endless game
Food for the soul
I know of men who are contented with how they live
They focus on soul and never cease to give
To give love and support, perform acts randomly kind
They are the ones who have at any time peace of mind
poem by Aufie Zophy
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Vain Imaginings
We have grown old
Time will not wait
For us, who caught
Its drift too late,
Who spent like fools
And lent like Kings
Purblind with vain imaginings.
For though each cup
Would spill the brim
At every sup
Of every whim,
What fool could see
His own intent –
Each shallow draft the level spent.
And now, like beggars
Caught in need,
We hoard the dregs
Of every creed
And only taste
The waste of Kings
Purblind with vain imaginings.
1 April 1981
poem by David Lewis Paget
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A fool's game
It was a fool's game that should not begin
And you played it without honest rules
If you thought that you will always win
Well it's wrong 'cause it's a game for fools
If you thought that you can get me easy
And you tried to do this without honest rules
If you thought that my way to be is sleazy
Well it's wrong 'cause it's a game for fools
If you thought that you can hunt me slowly
And you danced this without honest rules
If you thought that I will love you only
Well it's wrong 'cause it's a game for fools
It was a morbid dance without real feelings
A dance of wishes without honest rules
If you thought that love means mutual dealings
Well it's wrong 'cause it's a game for fools
If you thought that you will be a winer
In this love fight without honest rules
If you thought I'm a cake at your dinner
Well it's wrong 'cause it's a game for fools
And if you thought you can get everything
In this world of yours without honest rules
If you thought that I'm an easy stupid thing
Well it's wrong 'cause it's a game for fools.
poem by Marieta Maglas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
One Person Cannot Bring Peace
One person cannot bring peace to our World but when millions of good people unite
And march for peace in every village, town and city the war inclined may see some light
Beyond the darkness that surrounds them and through the windows of their soul
The light of change may even penetrate we can change others by thought control.
Gandhi brought great change through non violence no greater power than people power
Divided good people are defeated and their flower of peace is a wilting flower
But united we can bring about change as peace never comes through the gun
The dead never hear the birds singing at the going down of the sun
Refugee camps all over the World are crowded with war refugees
Billions are spent on war weaponry and little on poverty and disease
In the news each day we hear of violence and too much of war and terror we hear
The war men with their war on terror have found new ways of spreading fear.
Amongst the fearful population who believe everything that they say
We lose our own sense of direction when respect to such people we pay
You show some people a flowering garden they only see weeds and decay
And any hope of peace will keep on fading as long as the negative have things their own way.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet: Lenten Reflections
Remove the thought(s) that lead to evil deeds;
Instill the mind with thought(s) to do things good;
Do acts of charity to sow love-seeds;
Remind often the Saviour's Cross of wood!
Lent is the time to start afresh and pray;
Lent is the chance to make amends in life;
Lent is the season when you try to fast;
Lent offers more closeness with God through strife!
Afill the soul with grace through confession;
Allow the Word of God to work its ways;
Reflect about the Lord Jesus' passion;
Relive the love of God by nights and days!
Lent is the special time of year for soul;
Rethink, repent and make divine your role!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-02-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!