Socrates - Alexander Hamilton - Homer - Camille Pissarro - Monty Python’s Life of Brian 1979 - The Borgias TV - William Shakespeare - esias - Proverbs - Oscar Wilde - Jimmy Hughes and Frank Lane - Sugar Ray Leonard - Horace - Niccolo Machiavelli - Deuteronomy 28:2 - Psalms 1:1 - Psalms 32:1&2 - Psalms 41:1 - Psalms 67:7 - Psalms 128:1&4 - Proverbs 10:6&7 - I Chronicles 9:20 - Matthew 5:1-11 - Luke 6:20-22&28 - Luke 10:23 - F Scott Fitzgerald - Virgil -
Death may be the greatest of all human blessings. Socrates
A national debt, if it is not excessive will be to us a national blessing. Alexander Hamilton, American politician, letter to Robert Morris 30th April 1781
Thus have the gods spun the thread for wretched mortals; they that live in grief while they themselves are without cares; for two jars stand on the floor of Zeus, of the gifts which he gives, one of Evils and another of Blessings. Homer, The Iliad
Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing. Camille Pissarro
I think it was blessed are the cheese-makers. Monty Python’s Life of Brian 1979 ***** starring Graham Chapman & John Cleese & Terry Gilliam & Eric Idle & Terry Jones & Michael Palin & Kenneth Colley & Neil Innes & Gwen Taylor & Terence barler & Carol Cleveland & Spike Milligan et al, director Terry Jones
Oh it’s the meek. Blessed are the meek. Oh that’s nice. I’m glad they’re getting something ’cause they’ve had a hell of a time. ibid. woman in crowd
We should thank God for all the blessings he has visited upon this our family. The Borgias s1e9: Nobody, Showtime 2011
God’s blessing comes with a price. The Borgias s2e4: Stray Dogs
Bless thee, Bottom! bless thee! thou art translated. William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream III i 124
What on Earth are blessings? This quirk of Mormonism never failed to tickle my cognitive dissonance bone.
Why should I seek an advantage or favour over my neighbour? Why should I be so solipsistic to believe God is willing to shower me personally with a golden show of blessings? Which blessings, and how do I measure the success of the appeal? esias, ‘The Trouble With God’
Prayers go up and blessings come down. Yiddish proverb
What seems to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. Oscar Wilde
Bless ’em all! Bless ’em all! The long and the short and the tall. Jimmy Hughes and Frank Lane, 1940 song
I consider myself blessed. I consider you blessed. We’ve all been blessed with God-given talents. Mine just happens to be beating people up. Sugar Ray Leonard, boxer [cf. Muhammad Ali]
It is not he who has many possessions that you should call blessed: he more rightly deserves that name who knows how to use the gods’ gifts wisely and to endure harsh poverty, and who fears dishonour more than death. Horace, Odes
Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better. Niccolo Machiavelli
Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. Numbers 6:23-27
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Deuteronomy 28:2
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalms 1:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Psalms 32:1&2
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalms 41:1
God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalms 67:7
Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his way
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. Psalms 128:1&4
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. Proverbs 10:6&7
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. I Chronicles 4:10
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:1-11
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:20-22&28
Blessed are the eyes which see the things which ye see. Luke 10:23
Blessed are the dead that the rain falls on. F Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
O farmers excessively fortunate if only they recognised their blessings. Virgil, Georgics