Man is a watch, wound up at first, but never
Wound up again; Once down, he's down for ever.
The watch once down, all motions then do cease;
The man's pulse stopt, all passions sleep in peace.

Health is the first good lent to men;
A gentle disposition then:
Next, to be rich by no by-ways;
Lastly, with friends t' enjoy our days.

No wrath of men, or rage of seas,
Can shake a just man's purposes;
No threats of tyrants, or the grim
Visage of them can alter him;
But what he doth at first intend,
That he holds firmly to the end.

Man is composed here of a twofold part;
The first of nature, and the next of art;
Art presupposes nature; nature, she
Prepares the way for man's docility.

Who with a little cannot be content,
Endures an everlasting punishment.

Great men by small means oft are overthrown;
He's lord of thy life, who contemns his own.

Man knows where first he ships himself; but he
Never can tell where shall his landing be.

Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let
His gifts go from him, if not bought with sweat.

Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may;
Could life return, 'twould never lose a day.

Good things, that come of course, far less do please
Than those which come by sweet contingencies.