Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginnings of my
strength, the excellency of dignity, and the read more

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginnings of my
strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up
to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my
couch.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.

Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.

The people are like water and the ruler a boat. Water can
support a boat or overturn it.

The people are like water and the ruler a boat. Water can
support a boat or overturn it.

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, read more

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.

Water is the mother of the vine,
The nurse and fountain of fecundity,
The adorner and refresher read more

Water is the mother of the vine,
The nurse and fountain of fecundity,
The adorner and refresher of the world.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
read more

O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!
Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wracks;
A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon;
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,
All scatt'red in the bottom of the sea:
Some lay in dead men's skulls, and in the holes
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept
(As 'twere in scorn of eyes) reflecting gems,
That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep
And mocked the dead bones that lay scatt'red by.

What, man! more water glideth by the mill
That wots the miller of; and easy it is
read more

What, man! more water glideth by the mill
That wots the miller of; and easy it is
Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know:
Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother,
Better then he have worn Vulcan's badge.