Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

When I behold what pleasure is Pursuit,
What life, what glorious eagerness it is,
Then mark how read more

When I behold what pleasure is Pursuit,
What life, what glorious eagerness it is,
Then mark how full Possession falls from this,
How fairer seems the blossom than the fruit,--
I am perplext, and often stricken mute.
Wondering which attained the higher bliss,
The wing'd insect, or the chrysalis
It thrust aside with unreluctant foot.

Cleon hath ten thousand acres,--
Ne'er a one have I;
Cleon dwelleth in a place,--
read more

Cleon hath ten thousand acres,--
Ne'er a one have I;
Cleon dwelleth in a place,--
In a cottage I.

Possession means to sit astride the world
Instead of having it astride of you.

Possession means to sit astride the world
Instead of having it astride of you.

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
read more

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
And a few Friends, and many Books both true,
Both wise, and both delightful too.
And since Love ne'er will from me flee,
A mistress moderately fair,
And good as Guardian angels are,
Only belov'd and loving me.

Exclusive property is a theft against nature.
[Fr., La propriete exclusive est un vol dans la nature.]

Exclusive property is a theft against nature.
[Fr., La propriete exclusive est un vol dans la nature.]

Indeed, whenever a new idea is developed, as for example ballooning, warfare immediately takes possession.rn

Indeed, whenever a new idea is developed, as for example ballooning, warfare immediately takes possession.rn

It is said, that the thing you possess is worth more than two you
may have in the future. read more

It is said, that the thing you possess is worth more than two you
may have in the future. The one is sure and the other is not.
[Fr., Un tiens vaut, ce dit-on, mieux que deux tu l'auras.
L'un est sur, l'autre ne l'est pas.]

Of a rich man who was mean and niggardly, he said, "That man does
not possess his estate, but read more

Of a rich man who was mean and niggardly, he said, "That man does
not possess his estate, but his estate possesses him."