purpose (n.)

purpose (v.)

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): The Merchant of Venice. Act i. Sc. 3.

The secret of success is constancy to purpose.

Benjamin Disraeli (Earl Beaconsfield) (1805-1881): Speech, June 24, 1870.

Thy purpose firm is equal to the deed:

Who does the best his circumstance allows

Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more.

Edward Young (1684-1765): Night thoughts. Night ii. Line 90.

The flighty purpose never is o'ertook,

Unless the deed go with it.

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

I know, indeed, the evil of that I purpose; but my inclination gets the better of my judgment.

Euripides (484-406 b c): Medea. 1078.

Infirm of purpose!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Macbeth. Act ii. Sc. 2.

Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs,

And the thoughts of men are widen'd with the process of the suns.

Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892): Locksley Hall. Line 137.

Lie ten nights awake, carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Much Ado about Nothing. Act ii. Sc. 3.

That no compunctious visitings of nature

Shake my fell purpose.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Macbeth. Act i. Sc. 5.

I want that glib and oily art,

To speak and purpose not.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Lear. Act i. Sc. 1.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Old Testament: Ecclesiastes iii. 1.