John Selden

It's not the drinking to be blamed, but the excess.

— John Selden

A glorious Church is like a magnificent feast; there is all the variety that may be, but every one chooses out a dish or two that he likes, and lets the rest alone: how glorious soever the Church is, every one chooses out of it his own religion, by which he governs himself, and lets the rest alone.

— John Selden

Wise people say nothing in dangerous times.

— John Selden

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

— John Selden

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

— John Selden

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.

— John Selden

The world cannot be governed without juggling.

— John Selden

They that govern the most make the least noise.

— John Selden

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.

— John Selden

Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.

— John Selden

Philosophy is nothing but discretion.

— John Selden

Pleasures are all alike simply considered in themselves: he that hunts, or he that governs the commonwealth, they both please themselves alike, only we commend that, whereby we ourselves receive some benefit.

— John Selden

Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why he should grant this, or that; he knows best what is good for us.

— John Selden

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.

— John Selden

In quoting of books, quote such authors as are usually read; others you may read for your own satisfaction, but not name them.

— John Selden

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.

— John Selden

Tis not seasonable to call a man traitor, that has an army at his heels.

— John Selden

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.

— John Selden