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John Selden Quotes

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John Selden (December 16, 1584 - November 30, 1654) was an English lawyer, historian, and philosopher. Limited information is available, but he is known for his contributions to the fields of law, history, and philosophy.

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All Men May Ifs Knows Should World Giving Reason Kings Law Religion Wit Firsts Made Pain People Preaching Thinking Wells Book

Famous John Selden Quotes

“Men say they are of the same religion, for quietness' sake; but if the matter were well examined, you would scarce find three anywhere of the same religion on all points.”

Ifs Men Wells Matter Religion Three Sake Scarce Quietness

Book:English Belles-lettres: From A. D. 901 to 1834

Source: English Belles-lettres: From A. D. 901 to 1834

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

Looks Religion Mouths Knives Butchers

Book:Selden's table talk

Source: Selden's table talk

“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.”

Men Religion Fashion Every Man One Man Trimming

Author:John Selden

“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: how glorious soever the Church is, every one chooses out of it his own religion, by which he governs himself, and lets the rest alone.”

May Two Religion Church Likes Variety Glorious Dishes Magnificent

Book:Selden's table talk

Source: Selden's table talk

“Twas an unhappy Division that has been made between Faith and Works; though in my Intellect I may divide them, just as in the Candle I know there is both Light and Heat. But yet, put out the Candle, and they are both gone.”

Knows May Has Beens Made Light Christian Religion Prayer Gone Intellect Unhappy Heat Division Divides Candle

Book:Table talk: being the discourses of John Selden, esq

Source: Table talk: being the discourses of John Selden, esq