Francis Quarles Quotes

With a bloody flux of oaths vows deep revenge.

The world is deceitful; her end is doubtful, her conclusion is horrible, her judge terrible, and her judgment is intolerable.

Diogenes found more rest in his tub than Alexander on his throne.

Knowledge descries; wisdom applies.

If thy words be too luxuriant, confine them, lest they confine thee; he that thinks he never can speak enough may easily speak too much. A full tongue and an empty brain are seldom parted.

O who would trust this world, or prize what's in it, That gives and takes, and chops and changes, ev'ry minute?

To bear adversity with an equal mind is both the sign and glory of a brave spirit.

The light of the understanding, humility kindleth and pride covereth.

We sack, we ransack to the utmost sands Of native kingdoms, and of foreign lands: We travel sea and soil; we pry, and prowl, We progress, and we prog from pole to pole.

How is the anxious soul of man befool'd in his desire, That thinks an hectic fever may be cool'd in flames of fire?

Gold is Caesar's treasure, man is God's; thy gold hath Caesar's image, and thou hast God's.

He that hath promised pardon on our repentance hat not promised life till we repent.

Wisdom not only gets, but once got, retains.

No man is born unto himself alone; Who lives unto himself, he lives to none.

Hath any wronged thee? be bravely revenged; slight it, and the work is begun; forgive it, and it is finished; he is below himself that is not above an injury.

Death aims with fouler spiteAt fairer marks.

Even such is man, whose glory lendsHis life a blaze or two, and ends.

Shine Son of glory, and my sinnes are goneLike twinkling Starres before the rising Sunne.

What well-advised ear regards What earth can say? Thy words are gold, but thy rewards Are painted clay.

The grave is sooner cloy'd than men's desire.

Take heed thou trust not the deceitful lap Of wanton Dalilah; the world's a trap.

False world, thou ly'st: thou canst not lend The least delight: Thy favours cannot gain a friend, They are so slight.

Use law and physic only for necessity; they that use them otherwise abuse themselves unto weak bodies, and light purses; they are good remedies, bad businesses, and worse recreations.

The suburbs of folly is vain mirth, and profuseness of laughter is the city of fools.

For trash and toys, And grief-engend'ring joys, What torment seems too sharp for flesh and blood; What bitter pills, Compos'd of real ills, Men swallow down to purchase one false good!

Immortal life is something to be earned, By slow self-conquest, comradeship with Pain, And patient seeking after higher truths.

Whose gold is double with a careful hand, His cares are double.

Toyish airs please trivial ears.

Whosoever obeyeth the devil, casteth himself down: for the devil may suggest, compel he cannot.

Seest thou good days? Prepare for evil times. No summer but hath its winter. He never reaped comfort in adversity that sowed not in prosperity.

Let all thy joys be as the month of May.

As there is no worldly gain without some loss so there is no worldly loss without some gain.... Set the allowance against the loss and thou shalt find no loss great.

If thy daughter marry well thou hast found a son if not thou hast lost a daughter.

Put off thy cares with thy clothes so shall thy rest strengthen thy labor and so thy labor sweeten thy rest.

Necessity of action takes away the fear of the act.

Let the greater part of the news thou hearest be the least part of what thou believest.