The gretest clerkes ben not the wisest men.

Geoffrey Chaucer (1328-1400): Canterbury Tales. The Reves Tale. Line 4051.

The tree of deepest root is found

Least willing still to quit the ground:

'T was therefore said by ancient sages,

That love of life increased with years

So much, that in our latter stages,

When pain grows sharp and sickness rages,

The greatest love of life appears.

Mrs Thrale (1739-1821): Three Warnings.

The world knows nothing of its greatest men.

Sir Henry Taylor (1800-18—): Philip Van Artevelde. Part i. Act i. Sc. 5.

Rich in saving common-sense,

And, as the greatest only are,

In his simplicity sublime.

Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892): Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington. Stanza 4.

For greatest scandal waits on greatest state.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Lucrece. Line 1006.

He is at no end of his actions blest

Whose ends will make him greatest, and not best.

George Chapman (1557-1634): Tragedy of Charles, Duke of Byron. Act v. Sc. 1.