A bad man becomes worse when he apes a saint.

A bad man becomes worse when he apes a saint.

Ill comes in by ells, and goes out by inches.

Ill comes in by ells, and goes out by inches.

Envy will merit as its shade pursue,
But like a shadow, proves the substance true.

Envy will merit as its shade pursue,
But like a shadow, proves the substance true.

Had the crow only fed without cawing she would have had more to
eat, and much less of strife read more

Had the crow only fed without cawing she would have had more to
eat, and much less of strife and envy to contend with. [To noise
abroad our success is to invite envy and competition.]

Much matter decocted into few words.

Much matter decocted into few words.

I hold a wolf by the ears. [I am in a dilemma I have caught a
Tartar.]

I hold a wolf by the ears. [I am in a dilemma I have caught a
Tartar.]

A cup concealed in the dress is rarely honestly carried.

A cup concealed in the dress is rarely honestly carried.

Man Proposeth, God disposeth.

Man Proposeth, God disposeth.

The life of man is a winter way.

The life of man is a winter way.