Philip Massinger

He that doth public good for multitudes, finds few are truly grateful

— Philip Massinger

If you like not hanging, drown yourself; Take some course for your reputation.

— Philip Massinger

Oh that thou hadst like others been all words, And no performance.

— Philip Massinger

I had not to this time subsisted, but that I was supported by your frequent courtesies and favours.

— Philip Massinger

Virtue, thou in rags, may challenge more than vice set off with all the trim of greatness.

— Philip Massinger

Nay, droop not, fellows; innocence should be bold.

— Philip Massinger

He is not valiant that dares die, but he that boldly bears calamity.

— Philip Massinger

Virgin me no virgins! I must have you lose that name, or you lose me.

— Philip Massinger

Petitions, not sweetened with gold, are but unsavory and oft refused; or, if received, are pocketed, not read.

— Philip Massinger

Greatness, with private men Esteem'd a blessing, is to me a curse; And we, whom, for our high births, they conclude The…

— Philip Massinger

To doubt is worse than to have lost; And to despair is but to antedate those miseries that must fall on us.

— Philip Massinger

I have play'd the fool, the gross fool, to believe The bosom of a friend will hold a secret Mine own could…

— Philip Massinger

Detraction's a bold monster, and fears not To wound the fame of princes, if it find But any blemish in their lives…

— Philip Massinger

Without good company all dainties Lose their true relish, and like painted grapes, Are only seen, not tasted.

— Philip Massinger

You may boldly say, you did not plough Or trust the barren and ungrateful sands With the fruitful grain of your religious…

— Philip Massinger

From the king To the beggar, by gradation, all are servants; And you must grant, the slavery is less To study to…

— Philip Massinger

What pity 'tis, one that can speak so well, Should in his actions be so ill!

— Philip Massinger

Such as ne'er saw swans May think crows beautiful.

— Philip Massinger

Patience, the beggar's virtue, shall find no harbor here.

— Philip Massinger

Ill news are swallow-winged, but what is good walks on crutches.

— Philip Massinger

Be wise; soar not too high to fall; but stoop to rise.

— Philip Massinger

Thou art figured blind, and yet we borrow our best sight from thee.

— Philip Massinger

We have not an hour of life in which our pleasures relish not some pain, our sours, some sweetness.

— Philip Massinger

A diamond, though set in horns, is still a diamond, and sparkles in purest gold.

— Philip Massinger

For any man to match above his rank is but to sell his liberty.

— Philip Massinger

Like a rough orator, that brings more truth Than rhetoric, to make good his accusation.

— Philip Massinger

Nor custom, nor example, nor cast numbers Of such as do offend, make less the sin.

— Philip Massinger

Death has a thousand doors to let out life: I shall find one.

— Philip Massinger

What can innocence hope for, When such as sit her judges are corrupted!

— Philip Massinger

Revenge, that thirsty dropsy of our souls, makes us covet that which hurts us most.

— Philip Massinger

Giants in Their promises, but those obtained, weak pigmies In their performance.

— Philip Massinger

Though the desire of fame be the last weakness Wise men put off.

— Philip Massinger

Honour is Virtue's allowed ascent: honour that clasps All perfect justice in her arms; that craves No more respect than that she…

— Philip Massinger