A jest's prosperity lies in the ear<br /> Of him that hears it, never in the tongue<br /> Of him that makes it.

They have been at a great feast of languages, and stolen the scraps.

He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument.

There is a tide in the affairs of men<br /> Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;<br /> Omitted, all the voyage of their life<br /> Is bound in...

Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.

If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work.

He hath eaten me out of house and home.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility; But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger: Stiffen the...

There is occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things.

The gaudy, blabbing, and remorseful day<br /> Is crept into the bosom of the sea.

And many strokes, though with a little axe,<br /> Hew down and fell the hardest-timbered oak.

'T is better to be lowly born,<br /> And range with humble livers in content,<br /> Than to be perked up in a glistering grief,<br /> And wear a golden sorrow.

Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale<br /> Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.

This England never did, nor never shall,<br /> Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror

Although the last, not least.

Nothing will come of nothing.

How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is<br /> To have a thankless child!

Oh, that way madness lies; let me shun that.

The worst is not<br /> So long as we can say, "This is the worst."