14 quotes
If his Majesty is resolved to have my head, he may make a whistle of my arse if he pleases.
That which is not just, is not Law; and that which is not Law, ought not to be obeyed.
Discourses Concerning Government (1689)
God helps those who help themselves.
Discourses Concerning Government (1689)
Men lived like fishes; the great ones devoured the small.
Discourses Concerning Government (1689)
This shows that liars ought to have good memories.
It is not necessary to light a candle to the sun.
Discourses Concerning Government (1689)
But it is not necessary to light a candle to the sun.
This hand, the rule of tyrants to oppose
Seeks with the sword fair freedom's soft repose.
Liars ought to have good memories.
Discourses Concerning Government (1689)
I am persuaded to believe that God had left nations to the liberty of setting up such governments as best pleased themselves, and that magistrates were set up for the good of nations, not nations for the honor and glory of magistrates.
Scaffold speech (1683)
Civil war, in Macchiavel's account, is a disease; but tyranny is the death of a state. Gentle ways are first to be used, and it is best if the work can be done by them; but it must not be left undone, if they fail.
Discourses Concerning Government (1689)
Where liberty is, there is my country.
I doe now willingly lay down my life for the same; and having a sure witness within me, that God doth absolve me, and uphold me, in the utmost extremityes, am very littell sollicitous, though man doth condemne me.
Few men would be so gentle as to spare even the best, if by their destruction vile usurpers could become God's anointed, and by the most execrable wickedness invest themselves with that divine character.
Scaffold speech (1683)