There is no man suddenly either excellently good or extremely evil, but grows either as he holds himself up in virtue or lets himself slide to viciousness. Philip Sidney More Quotes by Philip Sidney More Quotes From Philip Sidney Lovely sweetness is the noblest power of woman, and is far fitter to prevail by parley than by battle. Philip Sidney lovely battle beauty The highest point outward things can bring unto, is the contentment of the mind; with which no estate can be poor, without which all estates will be miserable. Philip Sidney miserable contentment mind Courage ought to be guided by skill, and skill armed by courage. Neither should hardiness darken wit, nor wit cool hardiness. Be valiant as men despising death, but confident as unwonted to be overcome. Philip Sidney skills courage men Honor, thou strong idol of man's mind. Philip Sidney strong idols men It is great happiness to be praised of them who are most praiseworthy. Philip Sidney Thus, with child to speak, and helpless in my throes, biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite: Fool! said my muse to me, look in thy heart, and write. Philip Sidney To be ambitious of true honor, of the true glory and perfection of our natures, is the very principle and incentive of virtue. Philip Sidney With a tale, for sooth, he comet unto you; with a tale which holdeth children from play, and old men from the chimney corner. Philip Sidney Poesy must not be drawn by the ears: it must be gently led, or rather, it must lead, which was partly the cause that made the ancient learned affirm it was a divine, and no human skill, since all other knowledges lie ready for any that have strength of wit; a poet no industry can make, if his own genius be not carried into it. Philip Sidney skill lie genius strength For conclusion, I say the philosopher teacheth, but he teacheth obscurely, so as the learned only can understand him; that is to say, he teacheth them that are already taught. Philip Sidney say only him understand If you have so earth-creeping a mind that it cannot lift itself up to look to the sky of poetry... thus much curse I must send you, in the behalf of all poets, that while you live, you live in love, and never get favour for lacking skill of a sonnet; and, when you die, your memory die from the earth for want of an epitaph. Philip Sidney you mind sky love The poet nothing affirmeth and therefore never lieth. Philip Sidney therefore nothing never poet
