as a walled town is more worthier than a village, so is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor: and by how much defence is better than no skill, by so much is horn more precious than to want.
 William Shakespeare, As You Like It (1623). copy citation

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Author William Shakespeare
Source As You Like It
Topic skill defence
Date 1623
Language English
Reference
Note Written between 1598 and 1599
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1523/1523-h/1523-h.htm

Context

“many a man has good horns and knows no end of them. Well, that is the dowry of his wife; 'tis none of his own getting. Horns? Ever to poor men alone?—No, no; the noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal. Is the single man therefore blessed? No: as a walled town is more worthier than a village, so is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor: and by how much defence is better than no skill, by so much is horn more precious than to want. Here comes Sir Oliver. [Enter SIR OLIVER MARTEXT.] Sir Oliver Martext, you are well met. Will you despatch us here under this tree, or shall we go with you to your chapel? MARTEXT Is there none here to give the woman?” source