Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head, and learning wiser grow without his books

Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head, and learning wiser grow without his books

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist who lived during the 18th century. He is best known for his works that reflect his deep religious faith and his struggles with mental illness. One of his most famous quotes is, “Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head, and learning wiser grow without his books.”

This quote speaks to the idea that true wisdom and knowledge can come from the heart, rather than just from books and academic learning. Cowper believed that there was a deeper, more intuitive kind of wisdom that could only be accessed through the emotions and the soul. He believed that the heart had the power to teach the head important lessons that could not be found in any textbook.