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 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 pride drinking men 'Tis not the eating, nor 'tis not the drinking that is to be blamed, but the excess. John Selden excess alcohol drinking Take a straw and throw it up into the air, you may see by that which way the wind is. John Selden air may wind Pride may be allowed to this or that degree, else a man cannot keep up his dignity. John Selden degrees pride men A king is a thing men have made for their own sakes, for quietness sake. Just as in a family one man is appointed to buy the meat. John Selden meat kings men Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were the easiest for his feet. John Selden real kings friendship Pleasures are all alike simply considered in themselves: he that hunts, or he that governs the commonwealth, they both please themselves alike, only we commend that, whereby we ourselves receive some benefit. John Selden please benefits pleasure 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 here-and-there hypocrisy together 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 wedding marriage men Abundance consists not alone in material possession, but in an uncovetous spirit. John Selden abundance possession spirit To preach long, loud, and Damnation, is the way to be cried up. We love a man that damns us, and we run after him again to save us. John Selden running love men While you are upon earth, enjoy the good things that are here (to that end were they given), and be not melancholy, and wish yourself in heaven. John Selden good-things earth life 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. John Selden church two religion 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 wells horse bird Casting out devils is mere juggling; they never cast out any but what they first cast in. John Selden casting devil firsts Ceremony keeps up things: 'tis like a penny glass to a rich spirit, or some excellent water; without it the water were spilt, and the spirit lost. John Selden glasses pennies water 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 clothes prayer boys We see the judges look like lions, but we do not see who moves them. John Selden judging looks moving The House of Commons is called the Lower House, in twenty Acts of Parliament; but what are twenty Acts of Parliament amongst Friends? John Selden parliament twenties house 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 cutting fall thinking
