Quotes from Oliver Cromwell

Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.

A man-of-war is the best ambassador.

The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.

A few honest men are better than numbers.

Because I fear God, I have no man to fear.

For that which you mention concerning liberty of conscience, I meddle not with any man's conscience.

Royalty is but a feather in a man's cap; let children enjoy their rattle.

Work hard, trust in God, and keep your bowels open.

He who stops being better stops being good.

My desire is to make what haste I can to be gone.

Some people have food, but no appetite; others have an appetite, but no food. I have both. The Lord be praised.

You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing lately…. Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!

Put your trust in God but be sure to keep your powder dry.

Nature can do more than physicians.

Mr. Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughnesses, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.

A few honest men are better than numbers.

The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.

Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.

Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.

It is not my design to drink or to sleep, but my design is to make what haste I can to be gone.

Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imaginary necessities… are the greatest cozenage that men can put upon the Providence of God, and make pretenses to break known rules by.

I would have been glad to have lived under my woodside, and to have kept a flock of sheep, rather than to have undertaken this government.

He [Oliver Cromwell] in a furious manner, bid the Speaker leave his chair; told the house That they had sat long enough, unless they had done more good; and that it was not fit they should sit as a parliament any longer, and desired them to go away.

Make the iron hot by striking it.