In order to get power and retain it, it is necessary to love power; but love of power is not read more

In order to get power and retain it, it is necessary to love power; but love of power is not connected with goodness but with qualities that are the opposite of goodness, such as pride, cunning and cruelty

It is not linen you're wearing out,
But human creatures' lives.

It is not linen you're wearing out,
But human creatures' lives.

One of the ill effects of cruelty is that it makes the bystanders cruel.

One of the ill effects of cruelty is that it makes the bystanders cruel.

Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
If you will these graces to the grave,
And leave read more

Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
If you will these graces to the grave,
And leave the world no copy.

Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity

Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity

And you, enchantment,
Worthy enough a herdsman--yea, him too,
That makes himself, but for our honor therein,
read more

And you, enchantment,
Worthy enough a herdsman--yea, him too,
That makes himself, but for our honor therein,
Unworthy thee-if ever henceforth thou
These rural latches to his entrance open,
Or hoop his body more with thy embraces,
I will devise a death as cruel for thee
As thou art tender to't.

Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears

Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears

Men so noble,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty
read more

Men so noble,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty
To load a falling man.

Detested sport,
That owes its pleasures to another's pain.

Detested sport,
That owes its pleasures to another's pain.