Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel; but, being in,
Bear ‘t that the opposed may beware of thee.
– William Shakespeare
Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3. Polonius warns his son to stay out of quarrels, but if he finds himself in one, to ensure that his opponent fears him. This is tragically ironic, because Polonius goes against his own advice and becomes involved in the quarrel between Claudius and Hamlet, resulting in fatal consequences for himself.