Part 53

What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculties! in form, and moving, how express and admirable! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals!

Hamlet -- II. 2.

MERCY.

The quality of mercy is not strained: it droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven, Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesses him that gives, and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown: His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, When mercy seasons justice. Consider this,-- That, in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy.

Merchant of Venice -- IV. 1.

MERIT.

Who shall go about To cozen fortune, and be honorable Without the stamp of merit! Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity.

Merchant of Venice -- II. 9.

MODESTY.

It is the witness still of excellency, To put a strange face on his own perfection.

Much Ado About Nothing -- II. 3.

MORAL CONQUEST.

Brave conquerors! for so you are, That war against your own affections, And the huge army of the world's desires.

Love's Labor's Lost -- I. 1.

MURDER.

The great King of kings Hath in the table of his law commanded, That thou shalt do no murder. Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his band, To hurl upon their heads thatbreak his law.

King Richard III. -- I. 4.

Blood, like sacrificing Abel's, cries, Even from the tongueless caverns of the earth.

King Richard II. -- I. 1.

MUSIC.

The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus: Let no such man be trusted.

Merchant of Venice -- V. 1.

NAMES.

What's in a name? that, which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.

Romeo and Juliet -- II. 2.

Good name, in man, and woman, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing. 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands: But he, that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that, which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed.

Othello -- III. 3.

NATURE.