Shakespeare used a similar quote in his circa 1599 play, Much Ado About Nothing: What, courage man! what though care killed a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.
שייקספיר עשה שימוש בצירוף לשוני דומה במחזהו משנת 1599, "מהומה רבה על לא דבר": "What, courage man! what though care killed a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care."