You May Also Like / View all maxioms
Pouring oil on troubled water.
Pouring oil on troubled water.
 And so never ending,
 But always descending.  
 And so never ending,
 But always descending. 
If you wish to drown, do not torture yourself with shallow water.
If you wish to drown, do not torture yourself with shallow water.
Enough shovels of earth -- a mountain. Enough pails of water -- a river.
Enough shovels of earth -- a mountain. Enough pails of water -- a river.
 Till taught by pain,
 Men really know not what good water's worth;
  If you had been in read more 
 Till taught by pain,
 Men really know not what good water's worth;
  If you had been in Turkey or in Spain,
   Or with a famish'd boat's-crew had your berth,
    Or in the desert heard the camel's bell,
     You'd wish yourself where Truth is--in a well. 
Beware of silent dogs and still waters.
Beware of silent dogs and still waters.
I have drunk deep of the waters of my ancestors.
I have drunk deep of the waters of my ancestors.
 '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.