You May Also Like / View all maxioms
Idleness ruins the constitution.
Idleness ruins the constitution.
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,
And without sneering teach the rest to sneer;
Willing read more
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,
And without sneering teach the rest to sneer;
Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike,
Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike;
Alike reserv'd to blame, or to commend,
A tim'rous foe, and a suspicious friend.
Who could be happy and alone or good?
Who could be happy and alone or good?
As shines the moon in clouded skies,
She in her poor attire was seen.
As shines the moon in clouded skies,
She in her poor attire was seen.
He that handles a nettle tenderly is soonest stung.
He that handles a nettle tenderly is soonest stung.
What stronger breast-plate than a heart untainted.
What stronger breast-plate than a heart untainted.
I wrote these verses, but another claimed the merit of them.
I wrote these verses, but another claimed the merit of them.
The cholerick man never wants woe.
The cholerick man never wants woe.
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.