Who said “Candid and generous and just. Boys care but little whom they trust. An error soon…”?

Verified

William Cowper. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Friendship", l. 19 (1782)

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“Candid and generous and just. Boys care but little whom they trust. An error soon corrected -- for who but learns in riper years. That man, when smoothest he appears, is most to be suspected?”
Verified"Friendship", l. 19 (1782) · evidenceTrust
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For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Friendship", l. 19 (1782).

APA

Cowper, W. (n.d.). Candid and generous and just. Boys care but little whom they trust. An error soon corrected -- for who but learns in riper years. That man, when smoothest he appears, is most to be suspected? [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40238-candid-and-generous-and-just-boys-care-but/

MLA

Cowper, William. “Candid and generous and just. Boys care but little whom they trust. An error soon corrected -- for who but learns in riper years. That man, when smoothest he appears, is most to be suspected?” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40238-candid-and-generous-and-just-boys-care-but/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Cowper, William. “Candid and generous and just. Boys care but little whom they trust. An error soon corrected -- for who but learns in riper years. That man, when smoothest he appears, is most to be suspected?” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40238-candid-and-generous-and-just-boys-care-but/.