John Selden quotes

John Selden was an English jurist, scholar, and politician renowned for his expertise in legal history. His works on English law, religion, and antiquities greatly influenced the development of legal thought in Britain. He is remembered as one of the most learned men of his time, respected for his erudition and critical insight. Here are 36 of his quotes:

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)
Wise men say nothing in dangerous times. View quote
John Selden
Ignorance of the law excuses no man; not that all men know the law, but because 'tis an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to refute him. View quote
John Selden
It's not the drinking to be blamed, but the excess. View quote
John Selden
Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain. View quote
John Selden
Philosophy is nothing but discretion. View quote
John Selden
They that govern the most make the least noise. View quote
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. View quote
John Selden
Equity is a roguish thing. For Law we have a measure, know what to trust to; Equity is according to the conscience of him that is Chancellor, and as that is larger or narrower, so is Equity. 'T is all one as if they should make the standard for the measure we call a "foot" a Chancellor's foot; what an uncertain measure would this be! One Chancellor has a long foot, another a short foot, a third an indifferent foot. 'T is the same thing in the Chancellor's conscience. View quote
John Selden
You will want a book which contains not man's thoughts, but God's - not a book that may amuse you, but a book that can save you - not even a book that can instruct you, but a book on which you can venture an eternity - not only a book which can give relief to your spirit, but redemption to your soul - a book which contains salvation, and conveys it to you, one which shall at once be the Saviour's book and the sinner's. View quote
John Selden
Commonly we say a judgement falls upon a man for something in him we cannot abide. (John Selden)
Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear. View quote
John Selden
The House of Commons is called the Lower House, in twenty Acts of Parliament; but what are twenty Acts of Parliament amongst Friends? View quote
John Selden
Few men make themselves masters of the things they write or speak. View quote
John Selden
Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world. View quote
John Selden
Marriage is a desperate thing. View quote
John Selden
The parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made he governs the parish. View quote
John Selden
Never king dropped out of the clouds. View quote
John Selden
Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world. View quote
John Selden
Wit and wisdom are born with a man. View quote
John Selden
Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were easiest for his feet. (John Selden)
Gentelmen heve ever been more temperate in their religion than common people, as having more reason. View quote
John Selden
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. View quote
John Selden
No man is the wiser for his learning. View quote
John Selden
Take a straw and throw it up into the air - you may see by that which way the wind is. View quote
John Selden