The robb'd, that smiles, steals something from the Thief;
He robs himself, that spend a bootless Grief.

[William Shakespeare

OPPORTUNITY

It is a hag whom Life denies his kiss
As he rides questward in knight-errant wise;
Only when he hath passed her is it his
To know too late the Fairy in disguise.

[Madison Cawein

COMPETITION

The race is won! As victor I am hailed
With deafening cheers from eager throats; and yet
Gladder the victory could I forget
The strained, white faces of the men who failed.

[Julia Shayer

SLANDER

Oh! many a shaft, at random sent,
Finds mark the archer little meant;
And many a Word, at random spoken,
May soothe or wound a Heart that's broken.

[Sir Walter Scott

VICE

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

[Alexander Pope

TALKING

Words learn'd by rote, a Parrot may rehearse,
But talking is not always to converse;
Not more distinct from Harmony divine,
The constant creaking of a Country Sign.

[William Cowper

THINKERS, PAST AND PRESENT

God, by the earlier sceptic, was exiled;
The later is more lenient grown and mild:
He sanctions God, provided you agree
To any other other name for deity.

[William Watson

THE COOK WELL DONE

Why call me a bloodthirsty, gluttonous sinner
For pounding my chef when my peace he subverts?
If I can't thrash my cook when he gets a poor dinner,
Pray how shall the scamp ever get his desserts?

[Martial

"U" AND "I"

The difference b