Riddle #962

Dipping, glinting, gliding by, Rainbow-fretted, wrought of breath. I live only while I fly – Earth’s rough kiss my sudden death.

To you, rude would I never be, Though I flag my tongue for all to see. What am I?

Four jolly men sat down to play, and played all night till break of day. They played for gold and not for fun, with separate scores for every one. Yet when they came to square accounts, they all had made quite fair amounts! Can you the paradox explain? If no one lost, how could all gain?

Alive without breath, As cold as death; Never thirsty, ever drinking, All in mail never clinking.

Turn me on my side and I am everything. Cut me in half and I am nothing. What am I?

My antlers tower above my head. Where I live it’s cold all year. I can pull a sled or pack a load. You call me a ?

I’m teary-eyed but never cry, silver-tongued, but never lie. double-winged, but never fly, air-cooled, but never dry. What am I?

I go around in circles, but always go straight ahead. I never ever complain, no matter where I am lead

Never was, I am always to be. No one ever saw me, nor ever will. And yet I am the confidence of all, to live and breathe on this terrestrial ball. What am I?

I am a home of knowledge, both banal and profound. In grand halls and small homes I can be found. I am a home for things of many leaves, but my many residents are not living trees. What am I?

With thieves I consort, with the vilest, in short, I'm quite at ease in depravity; Yes all divines use me, And savants can't lose me, For I am the center of gravity.