Give what thou canst, without thee we are poor; and with thee rich, take what thou wilt away

Give what thou canst, without thee we are poor; and with thee rich, take what thou wilt away

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist who lived during the 18th century. He is best known for his works that reflected his deep religious faith and his struggles with mental illness. One of his most famous lines is “Give what thou canst, without thee we are poor; and with thee rich, take what thou wilt away.”

This line encapsulates Cowper’s belief in the importance of God’s presence in our lives. He acknowledges that without God, we are spiritually impoverished and lacking in the richness that comes from a relationship with the divine. Cowper believed that true wealth and abundance come from a connection to God, and that all other possessions are ultimately fleeting and insignificant.