Samuel Butler

Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.

Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.

His fear was greater than his haste:
For fear, though fleeter than the wind,
Believes 'tis always read more

His fear was greater than his haste:
For fear, though fleeter than the wind,
Believes 'tis always left behind.

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish to hear it.

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish to hear it.

Cry out upon the stars for doing
Ill offices, to cross their wooing.

Cry out upon the stars for doing
Ill offices, to cross their wooing.

For discords make the sweetest airs.

For discords make the sweetest airs.