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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

3378 Aaron Hill 1685-1750 John Bartlett

 
NUMBER:3378
AUTHOR:Aaron Hill (1685–1750)
QUOTATION:Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
  And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
  And it soft as silk remains.


’T is the same with common natures:
  Use ’em kindly, they rebel;
But be rough as nutmeg-graters,
  And the rogues obey you well.
ATTRIBUTION:Verses written on a window in Scotland.