Quote

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

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
Must
Policy
River
Giving
State
Boat
Much
Upon
Weather
Way
Water
Wave
Conveniently
Think
Fall
Rise
Troubled
Thinking
Give
Rivers
Foul
States
Filled
Waves
May
Cutting
Directly

More quotes by John Selden

Image
Opinion is something wherein I go about to give reasons why all the world should think as I think.
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
Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.
John Selden
Image
A gallant man is above ill words.
John Selden
Image
Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world.
John Selden
Image
There was never a merry world since the fairies left off dancing.
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
There is no book on which we can rest in a dying moment but the Bible.
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
Those that govern most make least noise.
John Selden
Image
No man is the wiser for his learning
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
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
Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes they were the easiest for his feet.
John Selden
Image
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
Image
Pride may be allowed to this or that degree, else a man cannot keep up dignity. In gluttony there must be eating, in drunkenness there must be drinking 'tis not the eating, and 'tis not the drinking that must be blamed, but the excess. So in pride.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
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.
John Selden
Image
We measure the excellency of other men by some excellency we conceive to be in ourselves.
John Selden