He who has once made himself notorious as utterly unprincipled,
is not credited even when he speaks the truth.

He who has once made himself notorious as utterly unprincipled,
is not credited even when he speaks the truth.

Catch, then, O catch the transient hour;
Improve each moment as it flies!

Catch, then, O catch the transient hour;
Improve each moment as it flies!

To a fair day open the window, but make you ready as to a foule.

To a fair day open the window, but make you ready as to a foule.

Whom does undeserved honour please, and undeserved blame alarm,
but the base and the liar?

Whom does undeserved honour please, and undeserved blame alarm,
but the base and the liar?

To live with them is far less sweet,
Than to remember thee!

To live with them is far less sweet,
Than to remember thee!

The eagle suffers little birds to sing,
And is not careful what they mean thereby.

The eagle suffers little birds to sing,
And is not careful what they mean thereby.

I hang my ears like an ass whose spirits droop.

I hang my ears like an ass whose spirits droop.

Fire that's closest kept, burns most of all.

Fire that's closest kept, burns most of all.

The wearer knowes, where the shoe wrings.
[The wearer knows best where the shoe pinches.]

The wearer knowes, where the shoe wrings.
[The wearer knows best where the shoe pinches.]