Authors:
  • Thyself and thy belongings
    Are not thine own so proper, as to waste
    Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
    Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
    Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
    Did not go forth of us 't were all alike
    As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd
    But to fine issues; nor Nature never lends
    The smallest scruple of her excellence,
    But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
    Herself the glory of a creditor -
    Both thanks and use.

    William Shakespeare (1842). “The Comedies, Histories, Tragedies, and Poems of William Shakspere: Merry wives of Windsor. Twelfth night. As you like it. Measure for measure”, p.383