George Herbert (1593 – 1633)
English poet and orator.
The mouse that hath but one hole is quickly taken.
Little pitchers have wide eares.
Emptie vessels sound most.
One hand washeth another, and both the face.
By all means use sometimes to be alone.
He that marries for wealth sells his liberty.
To a boyling pot flies come not.
Reason lies betweene the spurre and the bridle.
Every one thinkes his sacke heaviest.
Where the drink goes in there the wit goes out.
The worst speak something good; if all want sense,
God takes a text, and preacheth Pa-ti-ence.
[ A scab'd horse cannot abide the comb.]
Marry a widdow before she leave mourning.
Leave jesting while it pleaseth, lest it turne to earnest.
For want of a naile the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.
My meaning (dear Mother) is in these sonnets, to declare my resolution to be, that my poor abilities in poetry, shall be all and ever consecrated to God's glory.
Show me a lyer, and I'l shew thee a theefe.
By no means run in debt: take thine own measure.
Who cannot live on twenty pound a year,
Cannot on forty.