Samuel Butler

For zeal's a dreadful termagant,
That teaches saints to tear and cant.

For zeal's a dreadful termagant,
That teaches saints to tear and cant.

If he that in the field is slain
Be in the bed of honour lain,
He that read more

If he that in the field is slain
Be in the bed of honour lain,
He that is beaten may be said
To lie in Honour's truckle-bed.

Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.

Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.

Whatever Sceptic could inquire for,
For every why he had a wherefore.

Whatever Sceptic could inquire for,
For every why he had a wherefore.

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.