Skip to content
Linespedia

The Inward Judge

By John Greenleaf Whittier

Topics: classic

From Institutes of Manu.     The soul itself its awful witness is.     Say not in evil doing, "No one sees,"     And so offend the conscious One within,     Whose ear can hear the silences of sin.     Ere they find voice, whose eyes unsleeping see     The secret motions of iniquity.     Nor in thy folly say, "I am alone."     For, seated in thy heart, as on a throne,     The ancient Judge and Witness liveth still,     To note thy act and thought; and as thy ill     Or good goes from thee, far beyond thy reach,     The solemn Doomsman's seal is set on each

AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.

About this line

"From Institutes of Manu...."

This evocative piece by John Greenleaf Whittier, titled "The Inward Judge", represents a masterful exploration of classic. The lines capture a profound emotional resonance... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

Attribution & Rights

Author:John Greenleaf Whittier

"From Institutes of Manu...." by John Greenleaf Whittier

For usage rights, copyright concerns, or to report an issue with this content, please visit our Copyright & Report page.

Related lines

"Gallery of sacred pictures manifold,     A minster rich in holy effigies,     And bearing on entablature and frieze     The hieroglyphic oracle"

"Through the long hall the shuttered windows shed     A dubious light on every upturned head;     On locks like those of Absalom the fair,     O"

"At the unveiling of his statue.     Among their graven shapes to whom     Thy civic wreaths belong,     O city of his love, make room     F"

"Thrice welcome from the Land of Flowers     And golden-fruited orange bowers     To this sweet, green-turfed June of ours!     To her who, in o"

"Here morning in the ploughman's songs is met     Ere yet one footstep shows in all the sky,     And twilight in the east, a doubt as yet,     S"

"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

John Greenleaf Whittier

About John Greenleaf Whittier

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892) was an American Quaker poet and abolitionist whose poems—including "Snow-Bound" and "Barbara Frietchie"—celebrate New England life and moral courage. He was one of the Fireside Poets and a leading voice against slavery.

Full Bibliography
Continue Reading

"Gallery of sacred pictures manifold,     A minster..."

Weekly Poetic Insight

Join our literary Sanctuary

Get the most inspiring lines, poetic analysis, and secret shayaris delivered to your inbox every Sunday.