John Whittier Quotations

We meet todayTo thank Thee for the era done,And Thee for the opening one

For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ''It might have been!''

For somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.

No longer forward nor behind, I look in hope or fear; But grateful take the good I find, The best of now and here.

No lance have I, in joust or fight, To splinter in my lady's sight; But, at her feet, how blest were I For any need of hers to die!

Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing Returns to you glad.

Ah, that I were free again! Free as when I rode that day, Where the barefoot maiden raked the hay

Ah, that I were free again! Free as when I rode that day, Where the barefoot maiden raked the hay

Nothing before, nothing behind; the steps of faith fall on the seeming void and find the rock beneath

For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are those 'It might have been.'