“A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night, It was the plant and flower of light. In small proportions we just beauties see, And in short measures life may perfect be.”

Hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat.

A good king is a public servant.

Drink today, and drown all sorrow; You shall perhaps not do it tomorrow; Best, while you have it, use your breath; There is no drinking after death.

The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion of his wisdom; the authority of those two will persuade.

The voice so sweet, the words so fair, As some soft chime had stroked the air; And though the sound had parted thence, Still left an echo in the sense.

Soul of the age! The applause! delight! The wonder of our stage!

Honor’s a good brooch to wear in a man’s hat at all times.

Chance will not do the work. Chance sends the breeze; But if the pilot slumber at the helm, The very wind that wafts us tow’rds the port May dash us on the shoals. The steersman’s part Is vigilance, or blow it rough or smooth.

Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need

Thy praise or dispraise is to me alike; One doth not stroke me, nor the other strike.

Tell troth and shame the devil.

Let argument bear no unmusical sound.

Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect thing.

Who casts to write a living line, must sweat.

You are not now to think what’s best to do, As in beginnings, but what must be done, Being thus enter’d; and slip no advantage That may secure you. Let them call it mischief; When it is past, and prosper’d , ’twill be virtue.

Princes that would their people should do well Must at themselves begin, as at the head; For men, by their example, pattern out Their limitations, and regard of laws: A virtuous court a world to virtue draws.