Water is the mother of the vine,
The nurse and fountain of fecundity,
The adorner and refresher read more

Water is the mother of the vine,
The nurse and fountain of fecundity,
The adorner and refresher of the world.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

The people are like water and the ruler a boat. Water can
support a boat or overturn it.

The people are like water and the ruler a boat. Water can
support a boat or overturn it.

What, man! more water glideth by the mill
That wots the miller of; and easy it is
read more

What, man! more water glideth by the mill
That wots the miller of; and easy it is
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know:
Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother,
Better then he have worn Vulcan's badge.

Beware of silent dogs and still waters.

Beware of silent dogs and still waters.

A cup of cold Adam from the next purling stream.

A cup of cold Adam from the next purling stream.

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, read more

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner:
Honest water, which ne'er left man i' th' mire.

Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner:
Honest water, which ne'er left man i' th' mire.