Quotes by John Selden

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

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

“Philosophy is nothing but discretion.”

“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.”

“Marriage is a desperate thing.”

“Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world.”

“They that govern the most make the least noise.”

“Syllables govern the world.”

“Never king dropped out of the clouds.”

“The law against witches does not prove there be any; but it punishes the malice of those people that use such means to take away men's lives.”

“Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.”

“Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.”

“Preachers say, Do as I say, not as I do.”

“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.”