Alfred the Great Professions : King of Wessex Born : 849 Died : October 26, 899 Browse All Authors Top 26 quotes by Alfred the Great The saddest thing about any man is that he be ignorant, and the most exciting thing is that he knows. Alfred the Great ignorant exciting men For in prosperity a man is often puffed up with pride, whereas tribulations chasten and humble him through suffering and sorrow. In the midst of prosperity the mind is elated, and in prosperity a man forgets himself; in hardship he is forced to reflect on himself, even though he be unwilling. In prosperity a man often destroys the good he has done; amidst difficulties he often repairs what he long since did in the way of wickedness. Alfred the Great pride humble men I desire to leave to the men that come after me a remembrance of me in good works. Alfred the Great remembrance desire men For man is man and master of his fate. Alfred the Great fate masters men One God, one law, one element, Alfred the Great destiny law moving All the youth now in England of free men, who are rich enough to be able to devote themselves to it, be set to learn as long as they are not fit for any other occupation, until they are able to read English writing well. Alfred the Great education writing men I am a part of all whom I have met. Alfred the Great mets teaching Ah, what shall I be at fifty, Alfred the Great alive twenties nature Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Alfred the Great new-year pride war For I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see, Alfred the Great eye twilight rain The greater the man the greater the courtesy. Alfred the Great courtesy he-man men Science moves, but slowly, slowly, creeping on from point to point. Alfred the Great science moving He promoted the education of the parish clergy and wrote: He seems to me a very foolish man, and very wretched, who will not increase his understanding while he is in the world, and ever wish and long to reach that endless life where all shall be made clear. Alfred the Great education men life It becomes no man to nurse despair, but, in the teeth of clenched antagonisms, to follow up the worthiest till he die. Alfred the Great despair nurse men O hard, when love and duty clash! Alfred the Great hard clash duty Doom very evenly! Do not doom one doom to the rich; another to the poor! Nor doom one doom to your friend; another to your foe! Alfred the Great doom rich poor The vow that binds too quickly snaps itself. Alfred the Great snaps vow I embrace the purpose of God and the doom assigned. Alfred the Great embrace destiny purpose Ah, why should life all labor be? Alfred the Great labor should Food over flame burns, food over heat cooks Alfred the Great heat cooks flames
