But still his tongue ran on, the less Of weight it bore, with greater ease. - Samuel Butler

Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick,
Though he gave his name to our Old Nick.

In mathematics he was greater Than Tycho Brahe, or Erra Pater: For he, by geometric scale, Could take the size of pots of ale; Resolve, by sines and tangents straight, If bread and butter wanted weight; And wisely tell what hour o' th' day The clock doth strike, by algebra.

There 's but the twinkling of a star
Between a man of peace and war.