This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
And pity, like a naked newborn babe striding the blast, or heaven's cherubin, horsed upon the sightless couriers of the air, shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, that tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th' other. Macberth, Act I, Scene 7
And where two raging fires meet together; they do consume the thing that feeds their fury. Though little fire grows great with little wind, yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all. Taming of the Shrew, Act ii, Scene 1
Gentleness | Pity | Will | Forgive |
But now I am return'd, and that war-thoughts have left their places vacant, in their rooms come thronging soft and delicate desires. Much Ado About Nothing, Act I, Scene 1
BRUTUS: How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, that now on Pompey's basis lies along, no worthier than the dust! CASSIUS: So oft as that shall be, so often shall the knot of us be called the men that gave their country liberty. Julius Caesar, Act iii, Scene 1
Friend | Gentleness | Love |
Can’t help it? Nonsense! What we are is up to us. Our bodies are like gardens and our willpower is like the gardener. Depending on what we plant—weeds or lettuce, or one kind of herb rather than a variety, the garden will either be barren and useless, or rich and productive. If we didn’t have rational minds to counterbalance our emotions and desires, our bodily urges would take over. We’d end up in ridiculous situations. Thankfully, we have reason to cool our raging lusts. In my opinion, what you call love is just an offshoot of lust. Othello, Act I, Scene 3
Better | Care | Duty | Fear | Flattery | Little | Lord | Man | Men | Mind | Time | Will | Words | Following |
BRUTUS: Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. MESSALA: Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell, for certain she is dead, and by strange manner. BRUTUS: Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala. Julius Caesar, Act iv, Scene 3
Men |
But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears. Macbeth, Act iii, Scene 4
Ends |
But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic; and manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands against a falling fabric.
But I remember, when the fight was done, when I was dry with rage and extreme toil, breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword, came there a certain lord, neat and trimly dressed, fresh as a bridegroom, and his chin new reaped showed like a stubble land at harvest home. Henry IV, Part I, Act I, Scene 3
Can you not see? Or will ye not observe the strangeness of his altered countenance? With what a majesty he bears himself, how insolent of late he is become, how proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? We know the time since he was mild and affable, and if we did but glance a far-off look, immediately he was upon his knee, that all the court admired him for submission; but meet him now and, be it in the morn, when everyone will give the time of day, he knits his brow and shows an angry eye and passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee, disdaining duty that to us belongs. Small curs are not regarded when they grin, but great men tremble when the lion roars, and Humphrey is no little man in England. First note that he is near you in descent, and should you fall, he is the next will mount. Me seemeth then it is no policy, respecting what a rancorous mind he bears and his advantage following your decease, that he should come about your royal person or be admitted to your highness' council. By flattery hath he won the commons' heart; and when he please to make commotion, 'tis to be feared they all will follow him. Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted. Suffer them now, and they'll o'ergrow the garden and choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care I bear unto my lord made me collect these dangers in the duke. If it be fond, call it a woman's fear; which fear if better reasons can supplant, I will subscribe and say I wronged the duke. My lord of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York, reprove my allegation if you can, or else conclude my words effectual. Henvry VI, Part II, Act iii, Scene 1
But this same day must end that work the ides of March begun; and whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take: forever, and forever, farewell, Cassius! If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; if not, why, then, this parting was well made. Julius Caesar, Act v, Scene 1
Brutus had rather be a villager than to repute himself a son of Rome under these hard conditions as this time is like to lay upon us.
But now will canker sorrow eat my bud And chase the native beauty from his cheek, And he will look as hollow as a ghost, As dim and meagre as an ague's fit, And so he'll die; and rising so again, When I shall meet him in the court of heaven I shall not know him. The Life and Death of King John (Constance at III, iv)
CAESAR: Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous. Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene 2
Good |