This is something of a commonplace post for the year ahead with quotations taken from my withdrawn library book of quotations, that wealth of knowledge and marginalia about which the impoverish youths of the world have not a clue. Happy New Year.
For the life to come, I sleep out the thought of it. – Autolycus in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale
Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale
Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.
– Lewis in Shakespeare’s King John
When the tree is fallen, all go with their hatchets.
I have learned thy arts, and now
Can disdain as much as thou.
– Thomas Carew, “Disdain Returned”
On finding a wife:
- Choose a wife rather by your ear than your eye.
- Choose your wife as you wish your children to be.
- Choose a good mother’s daughter, though her father were the devil. (The latter two come from Gaelic proverbs.)
Who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy’d.
– Gratiano in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice
Turn your tongue seven times before talking. (Originally French)
What is new is seldom true; what is true is seldom new. (Originally German)