Samuel Butler ( 10 of 155 )
'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.
'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.
Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere sots of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
read more
Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere sots of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
And make men giddy, proud, and vain.
Honor is like a widow, won
With brisk attempt and putting on.
Honor is like a widow, won
With brisk attempt and putting on.
Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).
Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).
For now the field is not far off
Where we must give the world a proof
Of read more
For now the field is not far off
Where we must give the world a proof
Of deeds, not words.
Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.
Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.
He ne'er consider'd it as loth
To look a gift-horse in the mouth,
And very wisely would read more
He ne'er consider'd it as loth
To look a gift-horse in the mouth,
And very wisely would lay forth
No more upon it than 'twas worth;
But as he got it freely, so
He spent it frank and freely too:
For saints themselves will sometimes be,
Of gifts that cost them nothing, free.
Now, while the honour thou hast got
Is spick and span new.
Now, while the honour thou hast got
Is spick and span new.
What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was read more
What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was prov'd true before
Prove false again? Two hundred more.
You have a wrong sow by the ear.
You have a wrong sow by the ear.
