William Shakespeare on Contentment
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“Shut up In measureless content.”
“'Tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door; but 'tis enough, 'twill serve.”
“For mine own part, I could be well content To entertain the lag-end of my life With quiet hours.”
“I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man's happiness; glad of other men's good, content with my harm.”
“'Tis better to be lowly born, And range with humble livers in content, Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief, And wear a golden sorrow.”
“If it were now to die, 'Twere now to be most happy; for I fear My soul hath her content so absolute That not another comfort like to this Succeeds in unknown fate.”
“My crown is in my heart, not on my head; Not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is called content; A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.”
“Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile, And cry, "Content" to that which grieves my heart; And wet my cheeks with artificial tears, And frame my face to all occasions.”
“The shepherd's homely curds, His cold thin drink out of his leathern bottle, His wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade, All which secure and sweetly he enjoys, Is far beyond a prince's delicates, His viands sparkling in a golden cup, His body couched in a curious bed, When care, mistrust, and treason wait on him.”