Stronger by weakness, wiser men become.
A narrow compass! and yet there Dwelt all that 's good, and all that 's fair; Give me but what this riband bound, Take all the rest the sun goes round.
Vexed sailors cursed the rain, for which poor shepherds prayed in vain.
Virtue's a stronger guard than brass.
Ingenious to their ruin, every age improves the art and instruments of rage.
Poets that lasting marble seek, Must come in Latin or in Greek.