He that doth not as other men do, but endeavoureth that which ought to be done, shall thereby rather incur peril than preservation; for who so laboreth to be sincerely perfect and good shall necessarily perish, living among men that are generally evil.

What is our life? A play of passion. Our mirth the music of division. Our mother's wombs the tyring houses be, Where we are drest for this short Comedy.

No one can take less pains than to hold his tongue. Hear much, and speak little; for the tongue is the instrument of the greatest good and greatest evil that is done in the world.

Whosoever in writing a modern history shall follow the truth too near the heels it may haply strike out his teeth.

Men endure the losses that befall them by mere casualty with more patience than the damages they sustain by injustice.

Never spend anything before thou have it; for borrowing is the canker and death of every man's estate.

A wandering minstrel I A thing of shreds and patches Of ballads, songs and snatches And dreamy lullaby!