For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite the man that mocks at it and sets it light.
 William Shakespeare, Richard II (1595). copy citation

edit
Author William Shakespeare
Source Richard II
Topic wisdom sorrow
Date 1595
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1111/pg1111-images.html

Context

“To lie that way thou goest, not whence thou com'st. Suppose the singing birds musicians, The grass whereon thou tread'st the presence strew'd, The flowers fair ladies, and thy steps no more Than a delightful measure or a dance; For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite The man that mocks at it and sets it light. BOLINGBROKE. O, who can hold a fire in his hand
By thinking on the frosty Caucasus? Or cloy the hungry edge of appetite By bare imagination of a feast? Or wallow naked in December snow By thinking on fantastic summer's heat?” source

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report