John Selden Quotes (32 Quotes)


    The world cannot be governed without juggling.

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

    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.

    Pleasures are all alike simply considered in themselves he that hunts, or he that governs the commonwealth, they both please themselves alike, only we commend that, whereby we ourselves receive some benefit.

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


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

    We pick out a text here and there to make it serve our turn whereas, if we take it all together, and considered what went before and what followed after, we should find it meant no such thing


    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.

    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.

    Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

    Wise people say nothing in dangerous times.

    They that govern the most make the least noise.

    Humanity is a Virtue all preach, none practice, and yet every body is content to hear

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

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

    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 confute him.

    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.

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

    Preachers say, 'Do as I say, not as I do'.

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

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

    The Hall was the place where the great lord used to eat ... He ate not in private, except in time of sickness ... Nay, the king himself used to eat in the Hall, and his lords sat with him, and he understood men.


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

    He that has not religion to govern his morality, is not a dram better than my mastiff-dog so long as you stroke him, and please him, and do not pinch him, he will play with you as finely as may be, he is a very good moral mastiff but if you hurt him, he will fly in your face, and tear out your throat.

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

    There never was a merry world since the fairies left off dancing, and the Parson left conjuring.

    A glorious Church is like a magnificent feast there is all the variety that may be, but every one chooses out a dish or two that he likes, and lets the rest alone.

    Tis a fine thing for children to learn to make verse but when they come to be men, they must speak like other men, or else they will be laughed at

    Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.

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


    More John Selden Quotations (Based on Topics)


    Man - Wisdom & Knowledge - Kings & Queens - Vice & Virtue - Pleasure - Danger & Risk - Friendship - Drinking - Law & Regulation - Speaking - Christianity - Joy & Excitement - Humanity - People - Morality - Fairy - Marriage - Education - Learning - View All John Selden Quotations

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