1.
Midas, they say, possessed the art of old; Of turning whatsoe'er he touch'd to gold; This modern statesmen can reverse with ease - Touch them with gold, they'll turn to what you please.
John Wolcot
2.
Every gift, though it be small, is in reality great if given with affection.
John Wolcot
3.
The greatest men May ask a foolish question, now and then.
John Wolcot
4.
Enjoy thy stream, O harmless fish; And when an angler for his dish, Through gluttony's vile sin, Attempts, the wretch, to pull thee out, God give thee strength, O gentle trout, To pull the rascal in!
John Wolcot
5.
People may have too much of a good thing:
Full as an egg of wisdom thus I sing.
John Wolcot
6.
It is money makes the mare to trot.
John Wolcot
7.
What rage for fame attends both great and small!
Better be damned than mentioned not at all.
John Wolcot
8.
The turnpike road to people's hearts, I find,
Lies through their mouths or I mistake mankind.
John Wolcot
9.
To wear long faces, just as if our Maker,
The God of goodness, was an undertaker.
John Wolcot
10.
Some one has said of a fine and honorable old age, that it was the childhood of immortality.
John Wolcot
11.
No, let the monarch's bags and others hold
The flattering, mighty, nay, al-mighty gold.
John Wolcot
12.
Thus every dog at last will have his day -
He who this morning smiled, at night may sorrow;
The grub today's a butterfly tomorrow.
John Wolcot
13.
With vivid words your just conceptions grace,
Much truth compressing in a narrow space;
Then many shall peruse, but few complain,
And envy frown, and critics snarl in vain.
John Wolcot
14.
A fellow in a market town, Most musical, cried razors up and down.
John Wolcot
15.
O delicious kiss,
Why thou so sudden art gone?
Lost in the moment thou art won?
John Wolcot
16.
Care to our coffin adds a nail, no doubt,
And every grin so merry draws one out.
John Wolcot
