But whate'er you are That in this desert inaccessible, Under the shade of melancholy boughs, Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time; If you have ever looked on better days, If ever been where bells knoll'd to church, If ever sat at any good man's feast, If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear, And know what 'tis to pity and be pitied, Let gentleness my strong enforcement be. . . .

I have seen better faces in my time Than stands on any shoulder that I see Before me at this instant.

When you fear a foe, fear crushes your strength; and this weakness gives strength to your opponents.

Poor and content is rich, and rich enough.

Happy are they that hear their detractions, and can put them to mending.

Profit is a blessing, if it's not stolen.

O world, how apt the poor are to be proud!