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.

A Rechabite poor Will must live,
And drink of Adam's ale.

A Rechabite poor Will must live,
And drink of Adam's ale.

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.

I'm very fond of water:
It ever must delight
Each mother's son and daughter,--
read more

I'm very fond of water:
It ever must delight
Each mother's son and daughter,--
When qualified aright.

Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.

Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any read more

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.
The very deep did rot: O Christ!
That ever this should be!
Yes, slimy things did crawl with legs
Upon the slimy sea.

A cup of cold Adam from the next purling stream.

A cup of cold Adam from the next purling stream.

'Tis rushing now adown the spout,
And gushing out below,
Half frantic in its joyousness,
read more

'Tis rushing now adown the spout,
And gushing out below,
Half frantic in its joyousness,
And wild in eager flow.
The earth is dried and parched with heat,
And it hath long'd to be
Released from out the selfish cloud,
To cool the thirsty tree.

The cure for anything is salt water -- sweat, tears, or the sea.

The cure for anything is salt water -- sweat, tears, or the sea.