This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
Julius Cæsar, Act v. Sc 5. SHAKESPEARE.
OPINION.
For most men (till by losing rendered sager)
Will back their own opinions by a wager.
Beppo. LORD BYRON.
Some praise at morning what they blame at night,
But always think the last opinion right.
Essay on Criticism, Pt. II. A. POPE.
He that complies against his will
Is of his own opinion still.
Hudibras, Canto III. S. BUTLER.
OPPORTUNITY.
Who seeks, and will not take when once 'tis offered,
Shall never find it more.
Antony and Cleopatra, Act ii. Sc. 7. SHAKESPEARE.
This could but have happened once,
And we missed it, lost it forever.
Youth and Art. R. BROWNING.
He that will not when he may,
When he will he shall have nay.
Quoted in Anatomy of Melancholy. R. BURTON.
He that would not when he might,
He shall not when he wolda.
Reliques: The Baffled Knight. BISHOP T. PERCY.