John Dryden

Ay, these look like the workmanship of heaven;
This is the porcelain clay of human kind,
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Ay, these look like the workmanship of heaven;
This is the porcelain clay of human kind,
And therefore cast into these noble moulds.

For who can be secure of private right,
If sovereign sway may be dissolved by might?
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For who can be secure of private right,
If sovereign sway may be dissolved by might?
Nor is the people's judgment always true:
The most may err as grossly as the few.

Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.

Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.

At every close she made, th' attending throng
Replied, and bore the burden of the song:
So read more

At every close she made, th' attending throng
Replied, and bore the burden of the song:
So just, so small, yet in so sweet a note,
It seemed the music melted in the throat.

Be nice to people on your way up because you might meet 'em on
your way down.

Be nice to people on your way up because you might meet 'em on
your way down.