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Should the whole frame of nature round him break
In ruin and confusion hurled,
He, unconcerned, would hear the mighty crack,
And stand secure amidst a falling world.
Topic: Ruin
Source: Horace--Ode III (bk. III)
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A cobbler, . . . produced several new grins of his own invention,
having been used to cut faces for many years together over his
last.
Topic: Shoemaking
Source: in the "Spectator", no. 173
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But silence never shows itself to so great an advantage, as when
it is made the reply to calumny and defamation, provided that we
give no just occasion for them.
Topic: Silence
Source: in the "Tatler", no. 133
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What means this heaviness that hangs upon me?
This lethargy that creeps through all my senses?
Nature, oppress'd and harrass'd out with care,
Sinks down to rest.
Topic: Sleep
Source: Cato (act V, sc. 1)
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O Dormer, how can I behold thy fate,
And not the wonders of thy youth relate;
How can I see the gay, the brave, the young,
Fall in the cloud of war, and lie unsung!
In joys of conquest he resigns his breath,
And, filled with England's glory, smiles in death.
Topic: Soldiers
Source: Campaign--To Philip Dormer
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What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul.
Topic: Soul
Source: in the "Spectator", no. 215
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But thou shall flourish in immortal youth,
Unhurt amidst the wars of elements,
The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
Topic: Soul
Source: Cato (act V, sc. 1)
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A thousand trills and quivering sounds
In airy circles o'er us fly,
Till, wafted by a gentle breeze,
They faint and languish by degrees,
And at a distance die.
Topic: Sound
Source: An Ode for St. Cecelia's Day (VI)
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I have but nine-pence in ready money, but I can draw for a
thousand pounds.
Topic: Speech
Source: to a lady who complained of his having talked little in company, see "Boswell's Life of Johnson"
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Why, a spirit is such a little, little thing, that I have heard
man, who was a great scholar, say that he'll dance ye a hornpipe
upon the point of a needle.
Topic: Spirits
Source: The Drummer (act I, sc. 1)
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The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
Forever singing, as they shine,
The hand that made us is divine.
Topic: Stars
Source: Ode--The Spacious Firmament on High
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Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.
Topic: Storms
Source: The Campaign
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Our delight in any particular study, art, or science rises and improves in proportion to the application which we bestow upon it. Thus, what was at first an exercise becomes at length an entertainment.
Topic: Study
Source: None
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We are growing serious, and, let me tell you, that's the very
next step to being dull.
Topic: Stupidity
Source: The Drummer (act IV, sc. 6)
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Antidotes are what you take to prevent dotes.
Topic: Stupidity
Source: The Drummer (act IV, sc. 6)
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Artificial intelligence will never be a match for natural
stupidity.
Topic: Stupidity
Source: The Drummer (act IV, sc. 6)
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'Tis not in mortals to command success,
But we'll do more, Sempronius,--
We'll deserve it.
Topic: Success
Source: Cato (act I, sc. 2)
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Tradition is an important help to history, but its statements should be carefully scrutinized before we rely on them.
Topic: Tradition
Source: None
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Is there not some chosen curse,
Some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven,
Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man
Who owes his greatness to his country's ruin?
Topic: Treason
Source: Cato (act I, sc. 1)
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Is there not some chosen curse, some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven, red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man who owes his greatness to his country's ruin!
Topic: Treason
Source: None
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Amidst the soft variety I'm lost.
Topic: Variety
Source: Letter from Italy (l. 100)
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Curse on his virtues! they've undone his country.
Topic: Virtue
Source: Cato (act IV, sc. 4)
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Sweet are the slumbers of the virtuous man!
Topic: Virtue
Source: Cato (act IV, sc. 4)
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If there's a power above us, (and that there is all nature cries
aloud
Through all her works) he must delight in virtue.
Topic: Virtue
Source: Cato (act V, sc. 1)
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My voice is still for war.
Topic: War
Source: Cato
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From hence, let fierce contending nations know,
What dire effects from civil discord flow.
Topic: War
Source: Cato (act V, sc. 4)
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Loveliest of women! heaven is in thy soul,
Beauty and virtue shine forever round thee,
Bright'ning each other! thou art all divine!
Topic: Women
Source: Cato (act III, sc. 2)
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The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
Topic: World
Source: Cato (act V, sc. 1)
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Young men soon give and soon forget affronts;
Old age is slow in both.
Topic: Youth
Source: Cato (act II, sc. 5)
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There is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a
nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of
their country.
Topic: Zeal
Source: Freeholder (no. 5)
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