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

John Selden

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John Selden
Age: 69 †
Born: 1584
Born: December 16
Died: 1654
Died: November 30
Jurist
Politician
Writer
Wells
Well
Libel
Things
Complexion
Ballads
Solid
Show
Times
Shows

More quotes by John Selden

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The Parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made, he governs the Parish.
John Selden
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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
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Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.
John Selden
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Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world.
John Selden
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We measure the excellency of other men by some excellency we conceive to be in ourselves.
John Selden
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Abundance consists not alone in material possession, but in an uncovetous spirit.
John Selden
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No man is the wiser for his learning
John Selden
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A gallant man is above ill words.
John Selden
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Marriage is a desperate thing.
John Selden
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Those that govern most make least noise.
John Selden
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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
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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
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Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why He should grant this or that He knows best wheat is good for us. If your boy should ask you for a suit of clothes and give you reasons, would you endure it? You know his needs better than he let him ask for a suit of clothes.
John Selden
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Idolatry is in a man's own thought, not in the opinion of another.
John Selden
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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
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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
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Commonly we say a judgment falls upon a man for something in him we cannot abide.
John Selden
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There is no book on which we can rest in a dying moment but the Bible.
John Selden
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Opinion is something wherein I go about to give reasons why all the world should think as I think.
John Selden
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Of all the actions of a man's life, his marriage does least concern other people, yet of all the actions of our lives, 'tis the most meddled with by other people.
John Selden