Oh, blest with temper whose unclouded ray

Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day!

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 257.

Yet I shall temper so

Justice with mercy, as may illustrate most

Them fully satisfy'd, and thee appease.

John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost. Book x. Line 77.

Ye gods, it doth amaze me

A man of such a feeble temper should

So get the start of the majestic world

And bear the palm alone.

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

Thy steady temper, Portius,

Can look on guilt, rebellion, fraud, and Caesar,

In the calm lights of mild philosophy.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719): Cato. Act i. Sc. 1.

Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear

Touch'd lightly; for no falsehood can endure

Touch of celestial temper.

John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost. Book iv. Line 810.

Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch;

Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth;

Between two blades, which bears the better temper;

Between two horses, which doth bear him best;

Between two girls, which hath the merriest eye,—

I have perhaps some shallow spirit of judgment;

But in these nice sharp quillets of the law,

Good faith, I am no wiser than a daw.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Henry VI. Part I. Act ii. Sc. 4.

Oh, blest with temper whose unclouded ray

Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day!

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 257.