Quotes from Samuel Pepys

I see it is impossible for the King to have things done as cheap as other men.

Thanks be to God, since my leaving drinking of wine, I do find myself much better, and do mind my business better, and do spend less money, and less time lost in idle company.

But it is pretty to see what money will do.

But Lord! To see the absurd nature of Englishmen that cannot forbear laughing and jeering at everything that looks strange.

Unlike God the artist does not start with nothing and make something of it. He starts with himself as nothing and makes something of the nothing with the things at hand.

Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.

I went out to Charing Cross to see Major General Harrison hanged, drawn, and quartered; which was done there, he looking as cheerful as any man could in that condition.

I went home and took my wife and went to my Cosen Tho. Pepys's and found them just sat down to dinner, which was very good; only the venison pasty was palpable beef, which was not handsome.

Saw a wedding in the church. It was strange to see what delight we married people have to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition.

But me thought it lessened my esteem of a king, that he should not be able to command the rain.

Before I went to bed, I sat up till 2 a-clock in my chamber, reading of Mr. Hooke's Microscopical Observations, the most ingenious book that I ever read in my life.

My wife, who, poor wretch, is troubled with her lonely life.

Thanks be to God. Since my leaving the drinking of wine, I do find myself much better, and do mind my business better, and do spend less money, and less time lost in idle company.

And so I betake myself to that course, which is almost as much as to see myself go into my grave; for which, and all the discomforts that will accompany my being blind, the good God prepare me!

I am unwilling to mix my fortune with him that is going down the wind.

Saw a wedding in the church… and strange to see what delight we married people have to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition.

To church; and with my mourning, very handsome, and new periwig, make a great show.

Musick and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business is.

But it is pretty to see what money will do.

I find my wife hath something in her gizzard, that only waits an opportunity of being provoked to bring up; but I will not, for my content-sake, give it.

I pray God to keep me from being proud.

In appearance, at least, he being on all occasions glad to be at friendship with me, though we hate one another, and know it on both sides.

Strange to say what delight we married people have to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition.

Mighty proud I am that I am able to have a spare bed for my friends.