Philip Sidney
Philip Sidney
Sir Philip Sidneywas an English poet, courtier, scholar, and soldier, who is remembered as one of the most prominent figures of the Elizabethan age. His works include Astrophel and Stella, The Defence of Poesy, and The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth30 November 1554
agony nurse vices
Vice is but a nurse of agonies.
cutting causes zealous
A just cause and a zealous defender make an imperious resolution cut off the tediousness of cautious discussions.
men vanity may
Every present occasion will catch the senses of the vain man; and with that bridle and saddle you may ride him.
greatness despair titles
Whatever comes out of despair cannot bear the title of valor, which should be lifted up to such a height that holding all things under itself, it should be able to maintain its greatness, even in the midst of miseries.
self nurse care
Confidence in one's self is the chief nurse of magnanimity, which confidence, notwithstanding, doth not leave the care of necessary furniture for it; and therefore, of all the Grecians, Homer doth ever make Achilles the best armed.
kindness gains courtesy
A churlish courtesy rarely comes but either for gain or falsehood.
warrants my-own conscience
I seek no better warrant than my own, conscience.
party love-is self
Self-love is better than any gilding to make that seem gorgeous wherein ourselves be parties.
eye heart her-beauty
Our poor eyes were so enriched as to behold, and our low hearts so exalted as to love, a maid who is such, that as the greatest thing the world can show is her beauty, so the least thing that may be praised in her is her beauty.
children letters praise
Nothing has a letter effect upon children than praise.
causes noble ease
A noble cause doth ease much a grievous case.
practice dull occupation
Every base occupation makes one sharp in its practice, and dull in every other.
appreciation giving tribute
Give tribute, but not oblation, to human wisdom.
wise giving advice
Who will ever give counsel, if the counsel be judged by the event, and if it be not found wise, shall therefore be thought wicked?