John Selden quotes: wise famous quotes, sayings and quotations by John Selden

John Selden Famous Quotes & Sayings

Discover top inspirational quotes from John Selden on Wise Famous Quotes.

Of all actions of a man's life, his marriage does least concern other people, yet of all actions of our life tis most meddled with by other people.

No man is the wiser for his learning; it may administer matter to work in, or objects to work upon; but wit and wisdom are born with a man.

No man is the wiser for his learning

The Parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made, he governs the Parish.

Marriage is a desperate thing.

In quoting of books, quote such authors as are usually read; others you may read for your own satisfaction, but not name them.

Ceremony keeps up things: 'tis like a penny glass to a rich spirit, or some excellent water; without it the water were spilt, and the spirit lost.

Commonly we say a judgment falls upon a man for something in him we cannot abide.

It's not the drinking to be blamed, but the excess.

Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world.

The world cannot be governed without juggling.

Never king dropped out of the clouds.

We look after religion as the butcher did after his knife, when he had it in his mouth.

Abundance consists not alone in material possession, but in an uncovetous spirit.

Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world.

Preaching, in the first sense of the word, ceased as soon as ever the gospel was written.

The House of Commons is called the Lower House, in twenty Acts of Parliament; but what are twenty Acts of Parliament amongst Friends?

They that govern the most make the least noise.

Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.

Tis not seasonable to call a man traitor, that has an army at his heels.

A gallant man is above ill words.

He that hath a scrupulous conscience is like a horse that is not well weighed; he starts at every bird that flies out of the hedge.

Opinion is something wherein I go about to give reasons why all the world should think as I think.

To preach long, loud, and Damnation, is the way to be cried up. We love a man that damns us, and we run after him again to save us.

A wise man should never resolve upon anything, at least, never let the world know his resolution, for if he cannot reach that he is ashamed.

Fine wits destroy themselves with their own plots, in meddling with great affairs of state.

Take a straw and throw it up into the air, you may see by that which way the wind is.

We see the judges look like lions, but we do not see who moves them.

Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were the easiest for his feet.

Money makes a man laugh.

Old friends are best.

Those that govern most make least noise.

Gentelmen heve ever been more temperate in their religion than common people, as having more reason.

We measure the excellency of other men by some excellency we conceive to be in ourselves.

Idolatry is in a man's own thought, not in the opinion of another.

Wit and wisdom differ; wit is upon the sudden turn, wisdom is bringing about ends.

Women ought not to know their own wit, because they will still be showing it, and so spoil it.

Wit and wisdom are born with a man.

A king is a thing men have made for their own sakes, for quietness sake. Just as in a family one man is appointed to buy the meat.

Every law is a contract between the king and the people and therefore to be kept.

The clergy would have us believe them against our own reason, as the woman would have her husband against his own eyes.

Few men make themselves masters of the things they write or speak.

Wise people say nothing in dangerous times.

There is no book on which we can rest in a dying moment but the Bible.

Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty.

Ignorance of the law excuses no man.

Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why he should grant this, or that; he knows best what is good for us.

The law against witches does not prove there be any; but it punishes the malice of those people that use such means to take away men's lives.

Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear.

Casting out devils is mere juggling; they never cast out any but what they first cast in.

More solid things do not show the complexion of the times so well as Ballads and Libels.

There was never a merry world since the fairies left off dancing.

Philosophy is nothing but discretion.

While you are upon the earth, enjoy the good things that are here.

The happiness of married life depends upon making small sacrifices with readiness and cheerfulness.