For zeal's a dreadful termagant,
That teaches saints to tear and cant.

For zeal's a dreadful termagant,
That teaches saints to tear and cant.

Let a good person do good deeds with the same zeal that an evil person does bad ones.

Let a good person do good deeds with the same zeal that an evil person does bad ones.

Zeal is very blind, or badly regulated, when it encroaches upon the rights of others

Zeal is very blind, or badly regulated, when it encroaches upon the rights of others

If I had obeyed God, as I have obeyed him, He would not have
punished me.

If I had obeyed God, as I have obeyed him, He would not have
punished me.

Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.

Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.

Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge
is lost; let a man who knows this double read more

Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge
is lost; let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss
thus place himself that knowledge may grow.

Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my King, He would not in mine age read more

Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my King, He would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies.

Zeal then, not charity, became the guide.

Zeal then, not charity, became the guide.

Poets heap virtues, painters gems, at will,
And show their zeal, and hide their want of skill.

Poets heap virtues, painters gems, at will,
And show their zeal, and hide their want of skill.