Philip Massinger Quotes

To doubt is worse than to have lost; And to despair is but to antedate those miseries that must fall on us.

A willing mind makes a hard journey easy.

Malice scorned, puts out itself; but argued, give a kind of credit to a false accusation.

True dignity is never gained by place, and never lost when honors are withdrawn.

It is true fortitude to stand firm against All shocks of fate, when cowards faint and die In fear to suffer more calamity.

Giants in Their promises, but those obtained, weak pigmies In their performance.

Be wise; soar not too high to fall; but stoop to rise.

How sweetly sounds the voice of a good woman! It is so seldom heard that, when it speaks,it ravishes all senses.

He is not valiant that dares lie; but he that boldly bears calamity.

Thou art figured blind, and yet we borrow our best sight from thee.

Petitions, not sweetened with gold, are but unsavory and oft refused; or, if received, are pocketed, not read.

The soul is strong that trusts in goodness.

We have not an hour of life in which our pleasures relish not some pain, our sours, some sweetness.

Patience, the beggar's virtue, shall find no harbor here.

He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself.

If you like not hanging, drown yourself; Take some course for your reputation.

This is the Jew that Shakespeare drew.

Like a rough orator, that brings more truth Than rhetoric, to make good his accusation.

One grain of incense with devotion offer'd 'S beyond all perfumes of Sabaean spices.

Nor custom, nor example, nor cast numbers Of such as do offend, make less the sin.

But married once, a man is stak'd or pown'd, and cannot graze beyond his own hedge.

Cheerful looks make every dish a feast, and it is that which crowns a welcome.

What can innocence hope for, When such as sit her judges are corrupted!

Tis the only discipline we are born for; all studies else are but as circular lines, and death the center where they all must meet.

Virtue, thou in rags, may challenge more than vice set off with all the trim of greatness.

Conscience and wealth are not always neighbors.

You may boldly say, you did not plough Or trust the barren and ungrateful sands With the fruitful grain of your religious counsels.

For any man to match above his rank is but to sell his liberty.

I have play'd the fool, the gross fool, to believe The bosom of a friend will hold a secret Mine own could not contain.

I had not to this time subsisted, but that I was supported by your frequent courtesies and favours.

Death hath a thousand doors to let out life.

And, to all married men, be this a caution, Which they should duly tender as their life, Neither to doat too much, nor doubt a wife.

Factions among yourselves; preferring such To offices and honors, as ne'er read The elements of saving policy; But deeply skilled in all the principles That usher to destruction.

A diamond, though set in horns, is still a diamond, and sparkles in purest gold.

Ill news are swallow-winged, but what is good walks on crutches.

Such as ne'er saw swans May think crows beautiful.

Nay, droop not, fellows; innocence should be bold.

He that doth public good for multitudes, finds few are truly grateful

They are only safe That know to soothe the prince's appetite, And serve his lusts.

The good needs fear no law, It is his safety and the bad man's awe.

Black detraction will find faults where they are not.

Pleasures of worse natures Are gladly entertained, and they that shun us Practice in private sports the stews would blush at.

Greatness, with private men Esteem'd a blessing, is to me a curse; And we, whom, for our high births, they conclude The happy freemen, are the only slaves. Happy the golden mean!

Quiet night, that brings Best to the labourer, is the outlaw's day, In which he rises early to do wrong, And when his work is ended dares not sleep.

Oh that thou hadst like others been all words, And no performance.

Without good company all dainties Lose their true relish, and like painted grapes, Are only seen, not tasted.

Detraction's a bold monster, and fears not To wound the fame of princes, if it find But any blemish in their lives to work on.

What a seaOf melting ice I walk on!

The over curious are not over wise.

I in my own house am an emperor, And will defend what's mine.