A Matter Of Degree
B. SMITH would most undoubtedly be very, very cross
If some rude person called him Jap, and yet, I'm at a loss
To see how he could argue otherwise in that respect:
A Jap is human - or a rumour's rife to that effect.
And he talks and argues much the same as B.
So, if SMITH is not a twin
To his cherished Yellow-skin,
Why it's only just a matter of degree,
Just a trifling little matter of degree.
Now, a Jap is not a monkey. though he's oft compared with such,
And he doesn't look unlike one, so it hardly matters much.
A monkey has a fearsome phiz, and hands that grab at things,
And he imitates his betters - all of which the matter brings
To a very clear conclusion, seems to me,
Which you cannot fairly funk:
If a Jap is not a monk
Ey, it's patently a matter of degree.
And we needn't mind a matter of degree.
Of native monkeys hereabout, of course, you haven't heard;
And a monkey's not a native bear, which, clearly, is absurd,
And yet, a bear clings to a tree with young bears on its back
(My word! we're getting on a rather interesting tack)
Yes, it clings there like the cheerful chimpanzee.
So, if monkeys are not bears
So, overlooking certain petty matters of degree,
We are forced to these conclusions with undoubted certaintee:
B. SMITH'S a Jap, a Jap's an ape (according unto SMITH),
An ape's a bear, a bear's a bunyip, and the last's a myth!
It's as clear as any argument can be
That if our dear friend SMITH
Is not a simple myth
It's an unimportant matter of degree,
Quite a microscopic matter of degree.
poem by Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Qualified to Make Productive Contributions
Do you have a degree?
'A degree in what? '
You know?
Something that validates your intelligence!
'Oh...
Something that documents my discipline,
And education?
Something that verifies my verity,
To conform to the wholesomeness of humanity.
And I am now qualified to make productive contributions?
My life lived,
Has already provided the requirements.'
Uh...yeah...I guess.
Whatever that was you said.
'And...
I imagine you have at least 'one' degree? '
Of course!
I got me two.
And I'm gon' get me a job that pays.
'Hopefully not to teach English!
And...
Suppose I did not have that 'degree'.
Would that make my efforts less credible?
Would that make a fame or notoriety less worthy?
IF...
I should pursue that route.
I know this is difficult for you to believe...
But a degree doesn't measure my success felt.
And I feel pretty damn successful! '
So...
You 'do' have a degree?
'You've missed my point entirely.
And you...
Have been depicted as a scholar?
God...
Thank you for opening my mind,
And doors! '
OH!
So you've studied to be a minister?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Degree In Life
There are some people
both old and young.
They’ve done something once
and the next minute they know all about it.
They say they have degrees in this and that.
In the biggest degree of them all
they have all fallen flat.
With the degree of life,
you first have to live it,
before you can get awarded that.
You have to suffer all
the indignations and pains
that there are there,
all the joys and the happiness,
triumphs can share.
You have to look into
the darkest soul
and know what goes on in there.
As for those who say they know it all,
those are the ones who have just stopped wetting the bed.
You’ll never have that degree
until you start living
and stop saying the world loves me.
Some say I’ve taken drugs.
What the hell has that got to do with it.
It only goes to show one thing,
how weak minded you are.
It isn’t a mark on the degree of life.
A degree of life measures
how strong you are in mind
and not how many
hallucinations you’ve had in your head.
14 December 2007
poem by David Harris
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The Face
The face that matters
The voice that matters
The walk that matter
The eyes that matter
The lips that matter
The hair that matters
The tippet that matters
The annulets that matter
The ear-rings that matter
The bangles that matter
The lines on your hand
The lines on your forehead
The breath you take
The perfume you smell
All that matter to me.
poem by Satyabrata Barik
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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It Does Not Matter #2
it does not matter- if you're getting old
it does not matter- if you're skin and bones
it does not matter-if you're old and gray
it does not matter-if you go or stay
it does not matter- what people say
it does not matter-living day to day
the only thing that matters, is that
you're alive today
and you'll fight whatever comes your way.
never give up on yourself
for you have no one else.
age is with us to contend
age is something that is not your friend.
it does not matter- if you had a good life
it does not matter- if you're contrite.
no one really knows the true life you've led
and if you deserve to be in a bed.
and if death is at your bedside
in' GOD' you must confide.
HE is the only one that knows what
you've been through.
so confession is what you have to do.
but! it does not matter
if you confess or not
for he has your graveplot.
so ask forgiveness for what you've done
to' GODS' only son.
poem by Louis Rams
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No Matter What
No matter what age you may be, I will still show you my love that way you see,
It does not matter about what age you are, it matters about the size of heart you have.
poem by Jade Smith
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Tied Up
(j.farrar/l.ritenour)
You keep me waiting,i don't mind waiting
I don't wait for evryone
This is a one time situation
You say you need me, i believe you need me
But you're foolin' no one
This is a one time situation
What does it matter, who's been takin' in?
Ah,what does it matter
When you got two hearts achin' to begin?
Here's the opportunity come and take it to the nth degree
Don't be nervous, i don't have to be tied up in promises
Ooh,tied up in words that cut too deep
Tied up in promises we could never keep
I don't wanna let you down
Don't make me let you down
I get a feeling, a head to toe feeling
There's something special goin' on
This is a one time situation
Take my affection, give me love or rejection
Honey, do what must be down
This is a one time situation
What does it matter, who's been takin' in?
Ah,what does it matter
When you got two hearts achin' to begin?
Here's the opportunity come and take it to the nth degree
Don't be nervous, i don't have to be tied up in promises
Ooh,tied up in words that cut too deep
Tied up in promises we could never keep
Don't get me tied up, i don't wanna let you down
Don't make me let you down
This is a one time situation
This is a one time situation
Here's the opportunity come and take it to the nth degree
Don't be nervous, i don't have to be tied up in promises
Ooh,tied up in words that cut too deep
Tied up in promises we could never keep
Don't get me tied up
Don't get me tied up
Don't get me tied up
Don't get me tied up
Ooh,tied up,ooh ooh,tied up
song performed by by Olivia Newton-John
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In That Corner Is The Soup
I have a degree from Harvard.
'I have a degree from Yale.'
~I have a degree from Columbia.
With a Master's packed in my sack.
To prove that I prevailed.~
**That's great.
All of you should feel extremely proud.
Now...
Here is the scoop,
Your bowls are over there.
And in that corner is the soup! **
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes. We cannot see it, but when our bodies are purified, we shall see that it is all matter.
quote by Joseph Smith, Jr.
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Barest Degree
I am gone, cant waste more time
I said, not quite joking
The fire has gone the big trees stand
The underground is smoking
Remember nothing youve been told
Means anything to me
And everything you hold is mine
In the barest degree
I walked up to the park
The lion rock was weeping
I walked on to the grave
The lizard king was sleeping
Remember nothing youve been told...
The days draw long, too long to count
Cushioned by the wasting
Restless age, the rusted temple
A place of my own making
No matter what else youve been told
Its still all up to me
And everything you own, is mine
In the barest degree, in the barest degree
song performed by by Midnight Oil
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No Matter
No matter what your resume might say
No matter your belief or to what GOD you pray
No matter the languages that you might speak
No matter the lessons that you might teach.
No matter the words that you might use
No matter your occupation or the work you do
No matter the schooling or the degrees you have
No matter the pot holes that's in your path.
No matter the places that you had lived
No matter the gifts that you did give
No matter your wealth whether your rich or poor
No matter if you speak quietly or speak with a roar.
No matter the clothes that you wear
No matter the color or the length of your hair
All that matters is your actions and your deeds
As they speak louder, and to them, man will heed.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
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One Of The Saints
Big Smith is an Oakland School Board man,
And he looks as good as ever he can;
And he's such a cold and a chaste Big Smith
That snowflakes all are his kin and kith.
Wherever his eye he chances to throw
The crystals of ice begin to grow;
And the fruits and flowers he sees are lost
By the singeing touch of a sudden frost.
The women all shiver whenever he's near,
And look upon _us_ with a look austere-
Effect of the Smithian atmosphere.
Such, in a word, is the moral plan
Of the Big, Big Smith, the School Board man.
When told that Madame Ferrier had taught
_Hernani_ in school, his fist he brought
Like a trip-hammer down on his bulbous knee,
And he roared: 'Her Nanny? By gum, we'll see
If the public's time she dares devote
To the educatin' of any dam goat!'
'You do not entirely comprehend-
_Hernani's_ a play,' said his learned friend,
'By Victor Hugo-immoral and bad.
What's worse, it's French!' 'Well, well, my lad,'
Said Smith, 'if he cuts a swath so wide
I'll have him took re'glar up and tried!'
And he smiled so sweetly the other chap
Thought that himself was a Finn or Lapp
Caught in a storm of his native snows,
With a purple ear and an azure nose.
The Smith continued: 'I never pursue
Immoral readin'.' And that is true:
He's a saint of remarkably high degree,
With a mind as chaste as a mind can be;
But read!-the devil a word can he!
poem by Ambrose Bierce
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Without The Money
It is always the economy,
Affecting needs.
Always it is!
And not one's education...
Flaunted as perceived.
It is always the economy,
That breathes and feeds on greed.
And no matter if one goes to college...
It is not the Masters or Doctorate degree,
That keeps one perched...
High on a pedestal for all to see.
Without the money,
All pretensions can be dropped.
Oh without that money,
All the bragging seems to stop.
And it is without money...
No one talks about what they've got.
Or fingerpops with a bee-bop hopped.
If money is not felt...
A sobbing begins with a flow,
That can not be mopped.
It is always the economy,
That breathes and feeds on greed.
And no matter if one goes to college...
It is not the Masters or Doctorate degree,
That keeps one perched...
High on a pedestal for all to see.
It is that MONEY!
That holds a head higher than clouds.
It is that money making days sunny.
That ties that magic knot!
And if the economy doesn't feed,
A feeding of greed one receives...
A boo-hooing of tears becomes the reality.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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When you're in the minority, it doesn't matter what you're agenda is, you're not going to have the degree of freedom that you have as a member of the majority.
quote by Tom Daschle
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It Really Doesn't Matter
You say your ugly, i say it doesn't matter.
You say you have a dark past,
i say it doesn't matter.
You say theirs overwhelming responsibility,
i say it doesn't matter.
I don't believe in walking away when things get hard.
In fact they are my spark to continue my march.
Through thick and thin where to begin.
You say you don't have a way.
I say it doesn't matter.
You say that you cant give back what you would like.
I say it doesn't matter.
You say, you say oh it really doesn't matter,
I live one day at a time.
Choices will be made that will save the day
but hurt me financially.
It doesn't matter Choice will be made
that will set me back in my expectations.
It doesn't matter,
It really doesn't matter.
Its well worth it.
To see the beauty that
you have placed before me.
Oh how its worth it.
To settle down and not be looking to be found.
poem by Ace Of Black Hearts
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Mind Over Matter
Mind over matter
What's the matter?
It's your assumption
Be responsible for it
If the matter doesn't mind
That's because why should it?
Your mind put it there.
It only really matters to you.
Mind over matter
Mental strength
With this matter in mind
I need to work out
So I am less vulnerable
poem by Stevie Taite
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So I try not to do press and if you can keep the balance of keeping a certain degree of anonymity and do interesting work then you can hope for a degree of career longevity.
quote by Charlie Hunnam
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No Matter What
No matter what they tell us
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach us
What they belive is true
No matter what they call us
How ever they attack
No matter where they take us
We'll find our own way back
I can't deny what i belive
I can't be what i'm not
I know i love forever
I know no matter what
If only tears were laughter
If only night was day
If only prayers were answered
Then we would here god say
No matter what they tell you
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach you
What you believe is true
And i will keep you safe and strong
And sheltered from the storm
No matter where it's barren
Our dream is being born
No matter who they follow
No matter where the lead
No matter how they judge us
I'll be everyone you need
No matter if the sun don't shine
Or if the skies aren't blue
No matter why they ended
My life began with you
I can't deny what i believe
I can't be what i'm not
I know this love forever
That's all that matter's now
No matter what
No
song performed by by Boyzone from By Request
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Knowledge is invariably a matter of degree: you cannot put your finger upon even the simplest datum and say this we know.
quote by T.S. Eliot
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Right Behind You (Mafia)
You you you you you)
You haven't seen the world outside for days.
You sleep,
You hope,
You wait.
Imagination disappears and all the dreams you have,
You save.
Confrontation like a mirror they try to take your mind away.
(Hey hey)
I don't know, but I believe in yesterday
And what it means to bleed
And know that you're okay.
(Are you waiting?)
No matter what you say,
No matter what you do,
No matter what I'm always right there behind you.
No matter what you say,
No matter what you do,
No matter what I'm always right there behind you.
(You you you you you)
Bombarded by the atmosphere
You breathe,
You choke,
You breathe, again.
Conversation disappears,
You realize they're not your friends.
The panic of the future rears.
You dig,
You jerk,
You find another way.
(Hey hey)
I don't know, but I believe in yesterday
And what it means to bleed
And know that you're okay.
(Are you waiting?)
No matter what you say,
No matter what you do,
No matter what I'm always right there behind you.
No matter what you say,
No matter what you do,
No matter what I'm always right there behind you.
You opened up my face,
No I dont feel the same. (no no no)
You opened up my brain,
But I wont be with haste. (no no no)
(X4)
No matter what you say,
No matter what you do,
No matter what I'm always right there behind you
song performed by by Our Lady Peace
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You know, true love really matters, friends really matter, family really matters. Being responsible and disciplined and healthy really matters.
quote by Courtney Thorne-Smith
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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