Hoyt & Roberts, comps. Hoyt’s New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations. 1922.
Unkindness
As “unkindness has no remedy at law,” let its avoidance be with you a point of honor.
Hosea Ballou—MS. Sermons.
My lodging it is on the cold ground, and very hard is my fare,
But that which troubles me most, is the unkindness of my dear.
As it appeared in William Davenant’s Rivals, an alteration of Beaumont and Fletcher’s Two Noble Kinsmen. Attributed by Boosey (publishers), to John Gay.
Hard Unkindness’ alter’d eye,
That mocks the tear it forced to flow.
Gray—Eton College. St. 8.
Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our misery from our foibles springs;
Since life’s best joys consist in peace and ease,
And though but few can serve, yet all may please;
Oh, let th’ ungentle spirit learn from hence,
A small unkindness is a great offence.
Hannah More—Sensibility.
She hath tied
Sharp-tooth’d unkindness, like a vulture here.
King Lear. Act II. Sc. 4. L. 136.
Unkindness may do much;
And his unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love.
Othello. Act IV. Sc. 2. L. 158.
In nature there’s no blemish but the mind;
None can be call’d deform’d but the unkind.
Twelfth Night. Act III. Sc. 4. L. 401.