William Shakespeare

Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two grains read more

Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search. -The Merchant of Venice. Act i. Sc. 1.

A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.

A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.

Those, that with haste will make a mighty fire,
Begin it with weak straws.

Those, that with haste will make a mighty fire,
Begin it with weak straws.

Thou know'st, great son,
The end of war's uncertain, but this certain,
That, if thou conquer Rome, read more

Thou know'st, great son,
The end of war's uncertain, but this certain,
That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name
Whose repetition will be dogged with curses,
Whose chronicle thus writ: 'The man was noble,
But with his last attempt he wiped it out,
Destroyed his country; and his name remains
To th' ensuing age abhorred,' Speak to me son.
Thou hast affected the fine strains of honor,
To imitate the graces of the gods;
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' th' air,
And yet to change thy sulphur with a bolt
That should rive an oak.

Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale,
Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man,
And read more

Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale,
Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man,
And bitter shame hath spoiled the sweet world's taste,
That it yields nought but shame and bitterness.