John Selden Quotes

Tis a fine thing for children to learn to make verse; but when they come to be men, they must speak like other men, or else they will be laughed at.

Idolatry is in a man’s own thought, not in the opinion of another.

Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice, 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.

Humanity is a Virtue all preach, none practice, and yet every body is content to hear.

Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

Casting out devils is mere juggling; they never cast out any but what they first cast in.

We pick out a text here and there to make it serve our turn; whereas, if we take it all together, and considered what went before and what followed after, we should find it meant no such thing.

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