John Wilmot citations

Page 2

“The Elephant is never won with Anger,
Nor must that man, who would reclaim a Lion,
Take him by the teeth.”

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John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Valentinian (1685), Act I, Scene III
Valentinian was Rochester's adaptation of a play (ca. 1610-1614) by John Fletcher
Other

“Most Men are Cowards, all Men should be Knaves.
The Difference lies, as far as I can see,
Not in the thing it self, but the Degree.”

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John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

ll. 169-171.
A Satire Against Mankind (1679)

“See the kind seed-receiving earth
To every grain affords a birth:
On her no showers unwelcome fall,
Her willing womb retains ‘em all,
And shall my Caelia be confined?
No, live up to thy mighty mind,
And be the mistress of Mankind!”

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John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Upon Leaving His Mistress, ll. 15-21.
Other

“For Wits are treated just like Common Whores;
First they're enjoy'd, and then kickt out of Doors.”

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John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

ll. 38-39
A Satire Against Mankind (1679)