“You will want a book which contains not man's thoughts, but God's — not a book that may amuse you, but a book that can save you — not even a book that can instruct you, but a book on which you can ...”

— John Selden

“Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world.”

— John Selden

“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

“Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were easiest for his feet.”

— John Selden

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

— John Selden

“'Tis not the drinking that is to be blamed, but the excess.”

— John Selden

“Commonly we say a judgement falls upon a man for something in him we cannot abide.”

— John Selden

“Equity is a roguish thing. For Law we have a measure, know what to trust to; Equity is according to the conscience of him that is Chancellor, and as that is larger or narrower, so is Equity. 'T is ...”

— John Selden

“Gentelmen heve ever been more temperate in their religion than common people, as having more reason.”

— John Selden

“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.”

— John Selden

“The parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made he governs the parish.”

— John Selden

“No man is the wiser for his learning.”

— John Selden

“Wit and wisdom are born with a man.”

— John Selden