Quotes from John Selden

They that govern most make the least noise.

Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the whole world.

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.

Old friends are best.

Marriage is a desperate thing.

Of all actions of a man's life, his marriage does least concern other people, yet of all actions of our life tis most meddled with by other people.

Take a straw and throw it up into the air—you shall see by that which way the wind is.

Scrutamini scripturas [Let us look at the scriptures]. These two words have undone the world.

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.

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.

A wise man should never resolve upon anything, at least, never let the world know his resolution, for if he cannot reach that he is ashamed.*

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.

He that will give himself to all manner of ways to get money may be rich; so he that lets fly all he knows or thinks may by chance be satirically witty. Honesty sometimes keeps a man from growing rich, and civility from being witty.

Humility is a virtue all preach, none practise, and yet everybody is content to hear. The master thinks it good doctrine for his servant, the laity for the clergy, and the clergy for the laity.

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.

No man is wiser for his learning, wit and wisdom are born with a man.

Patience is the chiefest fruit of study; a man that strives to make himself different from other men by much reading gains this chiefest good, that in all fortunes he hath something to entertain and comfort himself withal.

Philosophy is nothing but discretion.

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.

They that are against superstition oftentimes run into it of the wrong side. If I wear all colors but black, then I am superstitious in not wearing black.

Tis not seasonable to call a man traitor, that has an army at his heels.

Few men make themselves masters of the things they write or speak.

In quoting of books, quote such authors as are usually read; others you may read for your own satisfaction, but not name them.

Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear.