Contentions fierce,
Ardent, and dire, spring from no petty cause.

Contentions fierce,
Ardent, and dire, spring from no petty cause.

Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and
a man of contention read more

Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and
a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on
usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them
doth curse me.

Great contest follows, and much learned dust
Involves the combatants; each claiming truth,
And truth disclaiming both.

Great contest follows, and much learned dust
Involves the combatants; each claiming truth,
And truth disclaiming both.

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman
are alike.

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman
are alike.

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our
skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our
skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

You will stir up the hornets.
[Lat., Irritabis crabones.]

You will stir up the hornets.
[Lat., Irritabis crabones.]

Stir up the hornets.
[Fr., Irriter les freslons.]

Stir up the hornets.
[Fr., Irriter les freslons.]

But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast,
For gentle ways are best, and keep aloof
read more

But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast,
For gentle ways are best, and keep aloof
From sharp contentions.

When individuals approach one another with deep purposes on both
sides they seldom come at once to the matter read more

When individuals approach one another with deep purposes on both
sides they seldom come at once to the matter which they have most
at heart. They dread the electric shock of a too sudden contact
with it.