Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

And pines with thirst amidst a sea of waves.

And pines with thirst amidst a sea of waves.

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

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

Still waters run no mills.

Still waters run no mills.

Till taught by pain,
Men really know not what good water's worth;
If you had been in read more

Till taught by pain,
Men really know not what good water's worth;
If you had been in Turkey or in Spain,
Or with a famish'd boat's-crew had your berth,
Or in the desert heard the camel's bell,
You'd wish yourself where Truth is--in a well.

For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground,
which cannot be gathered up again; read more

For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground,
which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any
person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not
expelled from him.

It is wretched business to be digging a well just as thirst is
mastering you.
[Lat., Miserum est read more

It is wretched business to be digging a well just as thirst is
mastering you.
[Lat., Miserum est opus,
Igitur demum fodere puteum, ubi sitis fauces tedet.]

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.

And so never ending,
But always descending.

And so never ending,
But always descending.