If you wish to drown, do not torture yourself with shallow water.

If you wish to drown, do not torture yourself with shallow water.

A flatterer has water in one hand and fire in the other.

A flatterer has water in one hand and fire in the other.

Pouring oil on troubled water.

Pouring oil on troubled water.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

And so never ending,
But always descending.

And so never ending,
But always descending.

I have drunk deep of the waters of my ancestors.

I have drunk deep of the waters of my ancestors.

'Tis a little thing
To give a cup of water; yet its draught
Of cool refreshment, drain'd read more

'Tis a little thing
To give a cup of water; yet its draught
Of cool refreshment, drain'd by fever'd lips,
May give a shock of pleasure to the frame
More exquisite than when nectarean juice
Renews the life of joy in happiest hours.

Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.

Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.

O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
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O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!
Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wracks;
A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon;
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,
All scatt'red in the bottom of the sea:
Some lay in dead men's skulls, and in the holes
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept
(As 'twere in scorn of eyes) reflecting gems,
That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep
And mocked the dead bones that lay scatt'red by.