The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance. — Aeschylus
Harsh counsels have no effect; they are like hammers, which are always repulsed by the anvil. — Claude Adrien Helvetius
Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all england. — Thomas Malory
A politician is the devil’s quilted anvil; he fashions all sins on him, and the blows are never heard. — John Webster
Hasten slowly, and without losing heart, put your work twenty times upon the anvil. — Nicolas Boileau
Many authors write like amateur blacksmiths making their first horseshoe; the clank — Robertson Davies