John Selden Quotes

Old friends are best.

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

They that are against Superstition oftentimes run into it of the wrong side. If I will wear all colours but black, then am I superstitious in not wearing black.

Ignorance of the law excuses no man; not that all men know the law, but because 'tis an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to refute him.

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

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

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

A gallant man is above ill words.

Ignorance of the law excuses no man.

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

Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world.

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

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.

Religion is like the fashion, one man wears his doublet slashed, another lashed, another plain; but every man has a doublet; so every man has a religion. We differ about the trimming.

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

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

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

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

Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.

'Tis not the eating, nor 'tis not the drinking that is to be blamed, but the excess.

No man is the wiser for his learning

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.

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.

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

While you are upon earth, enjoy the good things that are here (to that end were they given), and be not melancholy, and wish yourself in heaven.

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

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

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

Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain, the enjoying of something I am in great trouble for till I have it.

Humility is a virtue all preach, none practise, and yet every body is content to hear. The master thinks it good doctrine for his servant, the laity for the clergy, and the clergy for the laity.

Philosophy is nothing but discretion.

The world cannot be governed without juggling.

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.

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

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

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

Preachers say, "Do as I say, not as I do." But if a physician had the same disease upon him that I have, and he should bid me do one thing and he do quite another, could I believe him?

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

Money makes a man laugh.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Pride may be allowed to this or that degree, else a man cannot keep up his dignity.

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.

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