That from small fires comes oft no small mishap.

That from small fires comes oft no small mishap.

The ends must justify the means.

The ends must justify the means.

Thou marvell'st at my words, but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

Thou marvell'st at my words, but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

A bad ending follows a bad beginning.

A bad ending follows a bad beginning.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes; great floods have flown
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So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes; great floods have flown
From simple sources, and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the greatest been denied.

Consequences are unpitying. Our deeds carry their terrible
consequences, quite apart from any fluctuations that went
before--consequences that read more

Consequences are unpitying. Our deeds carry their terrible
consequences, quite apart from any fluctuations that went
before--consequences that are hardly ever confined to ourselves.

As thou sowest, so shalt thou reap.
[Sp., Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.]

As thou sowest, so shalt thou reap.
[Sp., Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.]

Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.