PAINTING THE LILY

Many people are not content to let well enough alone, but spoil what

they have by striving for an unnecessary and foolish improvement. If

they have a rich title, they try to ornament it still further; if they

have refined gold, they try to gild it; if they have a lily, they try to

paint it into still purer color.

Therefore, to be possessed with double pomp,

To guard a title that was rich before,

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,

To throw a perfume on the violet,

To smooth the ice, or add another hue

Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light

To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish,

Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

_William Shakespeare._

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