What dire Offence from am'rous Causes springs,
What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things.

What dire Offence from am'rous Causes springs,
What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things.

From hence, let fierce contending nations know,
What dire effects from civil discord flow.

From hence, let fierce contending nations know,
What dire effects from civil discord flow.

Consequences are unpitying. Our deeds carry their terrible
consequences, quite apart from any fluctuations that went
before--consequences that read more

Consequences are unpitying. Our deeds carry their terrible
consequences, quite apart from any fluctuations that went
before--consequences that are hardly ever confined to ourselves.

As you sow y' are like to reap.

As you sow y' are like to reap.

Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

As thou sowest, so shalt thou reap.
[Sp., Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.]

As thou sowest, so shalt thou reap.
[Sp., Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.]

The ends must justify the means.

The ends must justify the means.

So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes; great floods have flown
read more

So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes; great floods have flown
From simple sources, and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the greatest been denied.

Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent
lamb should be made parchment? that read more

Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent
lamb should be made parchment? that parchment, being scribbled
o'er, should undo a man? Some say the bee stings, but I say 'tis
the bee's wax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was
never mind own man since.