A bad ending follows a bad beginning.

A bad ending follows a bad beginning.

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.]

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.

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:
it hath no stalk: the bud shall read more

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:
it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it
yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent
lamb should be made parchment? that read more

Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent
lamb should be made parchment? that parchment, being scribbled
o'er, should undo a man? Some say the bee stings, but I say 'tis
the bee's wax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was
never mind own man since.

From little spark may burst a mighty flame.

From little spark may burst a mighty flame.

What dire Offence from am'rous Causes springs,
What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things.

What dire Offence from am'rous Causes springs,
What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things.

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.