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The meaning and origin of the expression: Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water

Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water

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What's the meaning of the phrase 'Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water'?

This Shakespearian saying expresses the notion that, while we recall well anything done to harm us, we forget quickly the good others do.

A modern phrase that expresses a similaridea is Monty Python's "What have the Romans ever done for us?". The characters in that sketch claim that "The Romans have taken everything from us" and offered nothing in return except aqueducts, sanitation, roads, irrigation, medicine, education, wine, public baths and peace.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water'?

The meaning and origin of the phrase 'Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water'From Shakespeare's Henry VIII, 1612:

GRIFFITH:
Noble madam,
Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues
We write in water. May it please your highness
To hear me speak his good now?

The line was alluded to on Keats' tombstone - Here lies one whose name was writ in water.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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