Careful Words

trade (n.)

trade (v.)

Doing good,

Disinterested good, is not our trade.

William Cowper (1731-1800): The Task. Book i. The Sofa. Line 673.

  It is not without good reason said, that he who has not a good memory should never take upon him the trade of lying.

Michael De Montaigne (1533-1592): Book i. Chap. ix. Of Liars.

  Love the little trade which thou hast learned, and be content therewith.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180 a d): Meditations. iv. 31.

In ev'ry age and clime we see

Two of a trade can never agree.

John Gay (1688-1732): Fables. Part i. The Rat-catcher and Cats.