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Famous John Selden Quotes
“More solid things do not show the complexion of the times so well as Ballads and Libels.”
“Every law is a contract between the king and the people and therefore to be kept.”
“Those that govern most make least noise.”
“Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world.”
“Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world.”
“Never king dropped out of the clouds.”
“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.”
“Casting out devils is mere juggling; they never cast out any but what they first cast in.”
“A gallant man is above ill words.”
“We see the judges look like lions, but we do not see who moves them.”
“Preaching, in the first sense of the word, ceased as soon as ever the gospel was written.”
“We look after religion as the butcher did after his knife, when he had it in his mouth.”
“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.”
“Opinion is something wherein I go about to give reasons why all the world should think as I think.”
“Tis not seasonable to call a man traitor, that has an army at his heels.”
“There was never a merry world since the fairies left off dancing.”
“Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty.”
“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.”