When workmen strive to do better than well, They do confound their skill in covetousness
 William Shakespeare, King John (1623). copy citation

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Author William Shakespeare
Source King John
Topic skill
Date 1623
Language English
Reference
Note Written around 1596
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1110/pg1110.txt

Context

“And like a shifted wind unto a sail It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about, Startles and frights consideration, Makes sound opinion sick, and truth suspected, For putting on so new a fashion'd robe. PEMBROKE. When workmen strive to do better than well, They do confound their skill in covetousness; And oftentimes excusing of a fault Doth make the fault the worse by th' excuse, As patches set upon a little breach Discredit more in hiding of the fault Than did the fault before it was so patch'd.” source