The Plays
A source page for quotes linked to Philip Massinger.
“He that would govern others first should be master of himself.”
“What’s bred in the bone, Admits no hope of cure.”
“What pity 'tis, one that can speak so well, Should in his actions be so ill!”
“Thou art figured blind, and yet we borrow our best sight from thee.”
“Though the desire of fame be the last weakness Wise men put off.”
“What can innocence hope for, When such as sit her judges are corrupted!”
“Nor custom, nor example, nor cast numbers Of such as do offend, make less the sin.”
“If you like not hanging, drown yourself; Take some course for your reputation.”
“A diamond, though set in horns, is still a diamond, and sparkles in purest gold.”
“Oh that thou hadst like others been all words, And no performance.”
“Virgin me no virgins! I must have you lose that name, or you lose me.”
“What a seaOf melting ice I walk on!”
“The good needs fear no law, It is his safety and the bad man's awe.”
“Like a rough orator, that brings more truth Than rhetoric, to make good his accusation.”
“I in my own house am an emperor, And will defend what's mine.”
“They are only safe That know to soothe the prince's appetite, And serve his lusts.”
“He is not valiant that dares lie; but he that boldly bears calamity.”
“Virtue, thou in rags, may challenge more than vice set off with all the trim of greatness.”
“For any man to match above his rank is but to sell his liberty.”
“Cheerful looks make every dish a feast, and it is that which crowns a welcome.”
“Black detraction will find faults where they are not.”
“One grain of incense with devotion offer'd 'S beyond all perfumes of Sabaean spices.”
“Ill news are swallow-winged, but what is good walks on crutches.”
“Giants in Their promises, but those obtained, weak pigmies In their performance.”
“Revenge, that thirsty dropsy of our souls, makes us covet that which hurts us most.”