Samuel Butler ( 10 of 155 )
God cannot alter the past, though historians can.
God cannot alter the past, though historians can.
He that is down can fall no lower.
He that is down can fall no lower.
Fear is an ague, that forsakes
And haunts, by fits, those whom it takes;
And they'll opine read more
Fear is an ague, that forsakes
And haunts, by fits, those whom it takes;
And they'll opine they feel the pain
And blows they felt, to-day, again.
Though wisdom cannot be gotten with gold, still less can it be gotten without it.
Though wisdom cannot be gotten with gold, still less can it be gotten without it.
For blocks are better cleft with wedges,
Tan tools of sharp or subtle edges,
And dullest nonsense read more
For blocks are better cleft with wedges,
Tan tools of sharp or subtle edges,
And dullest nonsense has been found
By some to be the most profound.
Ay me! what perils do environ
The man that meddles with cold iron!
Ay me! what perils do environ
The man that meddles with cold iron!
His fear was greater than his haste:
For fear, though fleeter than the wind,
Believes 'tis always read more
His fear was greater than his haste:
For fear, though fleeter than the wind,
Believes 'tis always left behind.
True as the dial to the sun,
Although it be not shin'd upon.
True as the dial to the sun,
Although it be not shin'd upon.
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have lost at all.
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have lost at all.
