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
body content hear humanity none virtue
Humanity is a Virtue all preach, none practice, and yet every body is content to hear
They that govern the most make the least noise.
concern life marriage tis
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.
duty resolution twice
Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice asonerous a duty
drinking excess nor tis
Tis not the eating, nor 'tis not the drinking that is to be blamed, but the excess
army call heels man tis traitor
Tis not seasonable to call a man a traitor that has an army at his heels
children fine laughed learn speak tis
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
life earth good-things
While you are upon the earth, enjoy the good things that are here.
people common reason
Gentelmen heve ever been more temperate in their religion than common people, as having more reason.
littles world foolery
Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world.
kings clouds
Never king dropped out of the clouds.
mean men law
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.
plot affair states
Fine wits destroy themselves with their own plots, in meddling with great affairs of state.
house twenties parliament
The House of Commons is called the Lower House, in twenty Acts of Parliament; but what are twenty Acts of Parliament amongst Friends?