But I have known what it is to die, and death is a shabby, paltry thing.

The crumpled dollar bill seemed a paltry thing indeed compared to what she had been given.

I have only paltry things that I may tell you outright.

A man's life seems a very paltry thing amid the great forces of Nature.

In comparison with those problems, a throbbing spine once a year is a paltry thing.

Caring is a paltry thing compared to what I feel.

But it had been a paltry thing, in all truth, sentiment aside.

"But what have I to do with such paltry things, my love?"

Dashed paltry thing to happen to one, of course, but the town's memory ain't long!

What we have seen is a paltry thing compared with what's to come.