My gran'ther's rule was safer 'n 't is to crow:
Don't never prophesy--onless ye know.

My gran'ther's rule was safer 'n 't is to crow:
Don't never prophesy--onless ye know.

Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for
ever?

Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for
ever?

Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.

Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.

O my prophetic soul!
My uncle?

O my prophetic soul!
My uncle?

No mighty trance, or breathed spell
Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell.

No mighty trance, or breathed spell
Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell.

Prophet of evil! never hadst thou yet
A cheerful word for me. To mark the signs
Of read more

Prophet of evil! never hadst thou yet
A cheerful word for me. To mark the signs
Of coming mischief is thy great delight,
Good dost thou ne'er foretell nor bring to pass.

I shall always consider the best guesser the best prophet.
[Lat., Bene qui conjiciet, vatem hunc perhibebo optimum.]

I shall always consider the best guesser the best prophet.
[Lat., Bene qui conjiciet, vatem hunc perhibebo optimum.]

Of all the horrid, hideous notes of woe,
Sadder than owl-songs or the midnight blast;
Is that read more

Of all the horrid, hideous notes of woe,
Sadder than owl-songs or the midnight blast;
Is that portentous phrase, "I told you so."

Prognostics do not always prove prophecies, at least the wisest
prophets make sure of the event first.

Prognostics do not always prove prophecies, at least the wisest
prophets make sure of the event first.