Omar Khayyam — "The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on."

"For in and out, above, about, below, 'Tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show, Play'd by the Magic Lantern born of Night, And into perfect Light begins to flow."

"The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it."

"And that inverted Bowl we call the Sky, Whereunder crawling cooped we live and die, Lift not your hands to It for help – for It As impotently moves as you or I."

"To-day is a king in disguise, and we are his courtiers. To-morrow is a queen, and we are her slaves."

"Oh, threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise! One thing at least is certain—This Life flies; One thing is certain and the rest is Lies; The Flower that once has blown for ever dies."