Careful Words

content (n.)

content (v.)

content (adj.)

An elegant sufficiency, content,

Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books,

Ease and alternate labour, useful life,

Progressive virtue, and approving Heaven!

James Thomson (1700-1748): The Seasons. Spring. Line 1158.

O, now, for ever

Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!

Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars

That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!

Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,

The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,

The royal banner, and all quality,

Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!

And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats

The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit,

Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Othello. Act iii. Sc. 3.

O happiness! our being's end and aim!

Good, pleasure, ease, content! whate'er thy name:

That something still which prompts the eternal sigh,

For which we bear to live, or dare to die.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 1.

'T is better to be lowly born,

And range with humble livers in content,

Than to be perked up in a glistering grief,

And wear a golden sorrow.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Henry VIII. Act ii. Sc. 3.

Content if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view,

The learn'd reflect on what before they knew.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Essay on Criticism. Part iii. Line 180.

  The atrocious crime of being a young man, which the honourable gentleman has with such spirit and decency charged upon me, I shall neither attempt to palliate nor deny; but content myself with wishing that I may be one of those whose follies may cease with their youth, and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): Pitt's Reply to Walpole. Speech, March 6, 1741.

Poor and content is rich and rich enough.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Othello. Act iii. Sc. 3.

Shut up

In measureless content.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Macbeth. Act ii. Sc. 1.

  I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

New Testament: Philippians iv. 11.

Virtue she finds too painful an endeavour,

Content to dwell in decencies forever.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 163.

Content to follow when we lead the way.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): The Iliad of Homer. Book x. Line 141.

  Ay, now am I in Arden: the more fool I. When I was at home I was in a better place; but travellers must be content.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): As You Like It. Act ii. Sc. 4.

  He that wants money, means, and content is without three good friends.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): As You Like It. Act iii. Sc. 2.