Careful Words

show (n.)

show (v.)

Live to be the show and gaze o' the time.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Macbeth. Act v. Sc. 8.

With books and money plac'd for show

Like nest-eggs to make clients lay,

And for his false opinion pay.

Samuel Butler (1600-1680): Hudibras. Part iii. Canto iii. Line 624.

Fears of the brave, and follies of the wise!

From Marlb'rough's eyes the streams of dotage flow,

And Swift expires, a driv'ler and a show.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): Vanity of Human Wishes. Line 316.

That practis'd falsehood under saintly shew,

Deep malice to conceal, couch'd with revenge.

John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost. Book iv. Line 122.

  The most peaceable way for you if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is and steal out of your company.

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

Show his eyes, and grieve his heart;

Come like shadows, so depart!

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

The charge is prepar'd, the lawyers are met,

The judges all ranged,—a terrible show!

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

Who will not mercie unto others show,

How can he mercy ever hope to have?

Edmund Spenser (1553-1599): Faerie Queene. Book v. Canto ii. St. 42.

Teach me to feel another's woe,

To hide the fault I see;

That mercy I to others show,

That mercy show to me.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): The Universal Prayer. Stanza 10.

And bear about the mockery of woe

To midnight dances and the public show.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): To the Memory of an Unfortunate Lady. Line 57.

In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt

But being season'd with a gracious voice

Obscures the show of evil?

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): The Merchant of Venice. Act iii. Sc. 2.

O, what authority and show of truth

Can cunning sin cover itself withal!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Much Ado about Nothing. Act iv. Sc. 1.

But I have that within which passeth show;

These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Hamlet. Act i. Sc. 2.

Shalt show us how divine a thing

A woman may be made.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850): To a Young Lady. Dear Child of Nature.

This world is all a fleeting show,

For man's illusion given;

The smiles of joy, the tears of woe,

Deceitful shine, deceitful flow,—

There's nothing true but Heaven.

Thomas Moore (1779-1852): This World is all a fleeting Show.