Quote

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.

John Selden

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John Selden
Age: 69 †
Born: 1584
Born: December 16
Died: 1654
Died: November 30
Jurist
Politician
Writer
Went
Followed
Turns
Whereas
Together
Considered
Find
Pick
Take
Picks
Thing
Serve
Make
Meant
Text
Turn
Hypocrisy

More quotes by John Selden

Image
If the prisoner should ask the judge whether he would be content to be hanged, were he in his case, he would answer no. Then, says the prisoner, do as you would be done to.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
There is no book on which we can rest in a dying moment but the Bible.
John Selden
Image
In a troubled state we must do as in foul weather upon a river, not think to cut directly through, for the boat may be filled with water but rise and fall as the waves do, and give way as much as we conveniently can.
John Selden
Image
Philosophy is nothing but discretion.
John Selden
Image
The happiness of married life depends upon making small sacrifices with readiness and cheerfulness.
John Selden
Image
No man is the wiser for his learning
John Selden
Image
Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty.
John Selden
Image
The Parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made, he governs the Parish.
John Selden
Image
A gallant man is above ill words.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
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?
John Selden
Image
The world cannot be governed without juggling.
John Selden
Image
There was never a merry world since the fairies left off dancing.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
Marriage is a desperate thing.
John Selden
Image
Idolatry is in a man's own thought, not in the opinion of another.
John Selden