Choice: Quotations from Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations
Both Regiments or none.— SAMUEL ADAMS — (For the Boston Town
Meeting.) To Gov. Hutchinson, demanding the withdrawal of the British troops from Boston after March 5th, 1776. Be ignorance thy choice where knowledge leads to woe.— BEATTIE — The Minstrel. Bk. II. St. 30.
He that will not when he may, When he will he shall have nay.— BURTON — Quoted in Anat. of Mel. Pt. III. Sect. 2. Mem. 5. Subs. 5.
Better to sink beneath the shock Than moulder piecemeal on the rock!— BYRON — The Giaour. L. 969.
What voice did on my spirit fall, Peschiera, when thy bridge I crost? 'Tis better to have fought and lost Than never to have fought at all!— ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH — Peschiera.
Life often presents us with a choice of evils, rather than of goods.— C. C. COLTON — Lacon. P. 362.
The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.— GEORGE ELIOT — Daniel Deronda. Bk. VI. Ch. XLII.
God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose.— EMERSON — Essay. Intellect.
Give house-room to the best; 'tis never known Vertue and pleasure both to dwell in one.— HERRICK — Hesperides. Choose for the
Best. More dear is meadow breath than stormy wind, And when my mind for meditation's meant, The seaweed is preferred to the shore's extent, The swallow to the main it leaves behind. γ. VICTOR HUGO-The Humble Home. Where passion leads or prudence points the way.— ROBERT LOWTH — The Choice of
S. Hercules. 1. Rather than be less Car'd not to be at all.— MILTON — Paradise Lost. Bk. II. L.47.
Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell, * * * * * * And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain?— MILTON — Paradise Lost. Bk. IV. L. 889.
Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be. Custom will render it easy and agreeable.— PYTHAGORAS — Ethical Sentences from
Stobæus. I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonour undergo. Tempest. Act. III. Sc. 1. L. 26. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits, And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.— Shakespeare — Merchant of Venice. Act II. Sc. 9. L. 31.
Preferment goes by letter and affection.— Shakespeare — Othello. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 36.
Which of them shall I take? Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, If both remain alive.— Shakespeare — King Lear. Act V. Sc. 1. L. 57.
"Thy royal will be done-'tis just," Replied the wretch, and kissed the dust; "Since, my last moments to assuage, Your Majesty's humane decree Has deigned to leave the choice to me, I'll die, so please you, of old age."— HORACE SMITH — The Jester Condemned
to Death. When to elect there is but one, 'Tis Hobson's Choice; take that or none.— THOS. WARD — England's Reformation. Canto IV. L. 896.
Great God! I'd rather be A Pagan, suckled in a creed outworn; So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea, Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.— WORDSWORTH — Miscellaneous Sonnets. Pt. I. Sonnet XXXIII.
A strange alternative *** Must women have a doctor or a dance?— YOUNG — Love of Fame. Satire V. L. 189.
Devine, si tu peux, et choisis, si tu l'oses. Guess, if you can, and choose, if you dare.— CORNEILLE — Héraclius. IV. 4.
Se soumettre ou se démettre. Submit or resign. b. GAMBETTA.