Fine wits destroy themselves with their own plots, in meddling with great affairs of state. John Selden More Quotes by John Selden More Quotes From John Selden 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 ignorancelawmen Old friends are best. John Selden old-friendsinspirational Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty. John Selden happy-new-yearresolutionnew-year There is no book on which we can rest in a dying moment but the Bible. John Selden momentsdyingbook Philosophy is nothing but discretion. John Selden discretionphilosopherphilosophy I have taken much pains to know everything that is esteemed worth knowing amongst men; but with all my reading, nothing now remains to comfort me at the close of this life but this passage of St. Paul: "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." To this I cleave, and herein do I find rest. John Selden paintakenjesus The happiness of married life depends upon making small sacrifices with readiness and cheerfulness. John Selden marriagehappyhappiness There was never a merry world since the fairies left off dancing. John Selden dancingdanceworld The world cannot be governed without juggling. John Selden manipulationleadershipworld Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why he should grant this, or that; he knows best what is good for us. John Selden prayerreason-whygiving The Parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made, he governs the Parish. John Selden parishmade He that has not religion to govern his morality, is not a dram better than my mastiff-dog; so long as you stroke him, and please him, and do not pinch him, he will play with you as finely as may be, he is a very good moral mastiff; but if you hurt him, he will fly in your face, and tear out your throat. John Selden hurtdogplay Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear. John Selden virtuehumilitypractice Talk what you will of the Jews,--that they are cursed: they thrive wherever they come; they are able to oblige the prince of their country by lending him money; none of them beg; they keep together; and as for their being hated, why, Christians hate one another as much. John Selden hatechristiancountry Idolatry is in a man's own thought, not in the opinion of another. John Selden opinionidolsmen Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain. John Selden intermissionpleasurepain Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain, the enjoying of something I am in great trouble for till I have it. John Selden pleasurepaintrouble Nothing is text but what is spoken of in the Bible and meant there for person and place; the rest is application; which a discreet man may do well; but it is his scripture, not the Holy Ghost's. First, in your sermons use your logic, and then your rhetoric; rhetoric without logic is like a tree with leaves and blossoms, but no root. John Selden rootstreemen 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 wisdommaymen First, in your sermons, use your logic, and then your rhetoric; Rhetoric without logic, is like a tree with leaves and blossoms, but no root; yet more are taken with rhetoric than logic, because they are caught with fine expressions when they understand not reason. John Selden takenexpressionroots
