John Selden
John Selden
John Seldenwas an English jurist and a scholar of England's ancient laws and constitution and scholar of Jewish law. He was known as a polymath showing true intellectual depth and breadth; John Milton hailed Selden in 1644 as "the chief of learned men reputed in this land."...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth16 December 1584
believe disease physicians
Preachers say, "Do as I say, not as I do." But if a physician had the same disease upon him that I have, and he should bid me do one thing and he do quite another, could I believe him?
firsts preaching written
Preaching, in the first sense of the word, ceased as soon as ever the gospel was written.
men religion matter
Men say they are of the same religion, for quietness' sake; but if the matter were well examined, you would scarce find three anywhere of the same religion on all points.
pride men may
Pride may be allowed to this or that degree, else a man cannot keep up his dignity.
drinking excess
It's not the drinking to be blamed, but the excess.
love running men
To preach long, loud, and Damnation, is the way to be cried up. We love a man that damns us, and we run after him again to save us.
dog hurt play
He that has not religion to govern his morality, is not a dram better than my mastiff-dog; so long as you stroke him, and please him, and do not pinch him, he will play with you as finely as may be, he is a very good moral mastiff; but if you hurt him, he will fly in your face, and tear out your throat.
compassion judging done
If the prisoner should ask the judge whether he would be content to be hanged, were he in his case, he would answer no. Then, says the prisoner, do as you would be done to.
spirit abundance possession
Abundance consists not alone in material possession, but in an uncovetous spirit.
humility practice virtue
Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear.
army men high-heels
Tis not seasonable to call a man traitor, that has an army at his heels.
kings men sake
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.
running color wearing-black
They that are against superstition oftentimes run into it of the wrong side. If I wear all colors but black, then I am superstitious in not wearing black.
friendship kings real
Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were the easiest for his feet.