77 quotes
Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. Oh 't is cruelty to beat a cripple with his own crutches.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Deceive not thyself by overexpecting happiness in the married estate. Remember the nightingales which sing only some months in the spring, but commonly are silent when they have hatched their eggs.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Ejaculations are short prayers darted up to God on emergent occasions. They are the artillery of devotion, and their principal use is against the fiery darts of the devil.
He that is proud of the rustling of his silks, like a madman, laughs at the ratling of his fetters. For indeed, Clothes ought to be our remembrancers of our lost innocency.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Many favors which God giveth us ravel out for want of hemming, through our own unthankfulness; for though prayer purchaseth blessings, giving praise doth keep the quiet possession of them.
So a good prayer, though often used, is still fresh and fair in the ears and eyes of Heaven.
Thrift is the Philosopher's Stone.
Gnomologia (1732)
He was born within the sound of Bow-bell.
The lion is not so fierce as painted.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Be not mortally angry with any for a venial fault. He will make a strange combustion in the state of his soul, who at the landing of every cockboat sets the beacons on fire. To be angry for every toy debases the worth of thy anger; for he who will be angry for any thing, will be angry for nothing.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
In all reprehensions, observe to express rather thy love than thy anger; and strive rather to convince than exasperate: but if the matter do require any special indignation, let it appear to be the zeal of a displeased friend, rather than the passion of a provoked enemy.
Memory [is] like a purse,—if it be over-full that it cannot shut, all will drop out of it. Take heed of a gluttonous curiosity to feed on many things, lest the greediness of the appetite of thy memory spoil the digestion thereof.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
[T]hey which play with the devils rattles, will be brought by degrees to wield his sword[.]
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Be not angry with any without a cause. If thou beest, thou must not onely, as the Proverb saith, be appeas'd with∣out amends (having neither cost nor damage given thee) but, as our Saviour saith, be in danger of the judgement.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Take heed of doing irrevocable acts in thy passion, As the revealing of secrets, which makes thee a bankrupt for society ever after: neither do such things which done once are done for ever, so that no bemoaning can amend them. Sampsons hair grew again, but not his eyes: Time may restore some losses, others are never to be repaird. Wherefore in thy rage make no Persian decree which cannot be revers'd or repeald; but rather Polonian laws which (they say) last but three dayes: Do not in an instant what an age cannot recompence.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Let not thy anger be so hot, but that the most torrid zone thereof may be habitable. Fright not people from thy pre∣sence with the terrour of thy intolerable impatience. Some men, like a tiled house, are long before they take fire, but once on flame there is no coming near to quench them.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)
Hope not for impossibilities.
The Holy State and the Profane State (1642)