Careful Words

both (adj.)

  There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for little, Philip said, "Either is both, and Both is neither."

Plutarch (46(?)-120(?) a d): Apophthegms of Kings and Great Commanders. Philip.

Brother, brother! we are both in the wrong.

John Gay (1688-1732): The Beggar's Opera. Act ii. Sc. 2.

Much may be said on both sides.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719): Spectator. No. 122.

Much may be said on both sides.

Henry Fielding (1707-1754): The Covent Garden Tragedy. Act i. Sc. 8.

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 (1564-1616): Measure for Measure. Act i. Sc. 1.

And both were young, and one was beautiful.

Lord Byron 1788-1824: The Dream. Stanza 2.