John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester quotes

John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester was an English poet, satirist, and libertine at the court of King Charles II. His witty and provocative works challenged social norms and often scandalized polite society. He is remembered for his brilliant poetry, sharp satire, and wild lifestyle. Here are 40 of his quotes:

Before I got married I had six theories about raising children; now, I have six children and no theories. (John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester)
Man differs more from man than man from beast. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
For all men would be cowards if they durst. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Love, the most generous passion of the mind The softest refuge innocence can find. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Angels listen when she speaks: She 's my delight, all mankind's wonder; But my jealous heart would break Should we live one day asunder. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
If you have a grateful heart (which is a miracle amongst you statesmen), show it by directing the bearer to the best wine in town, and pray let not this highest point of sacred friendship be performed slightly, but go about it with all due deliberation and care, as holy priests to sacrifice, or as discreet thieves to the wary performance of burglary and shop-lifting. Let your well-discerning palate (the best judge about you) travel from cellar to cellar and then from piece to piece till it has lighted on wine fit for its noble choice and my approbation. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
The clog of all pleasure, the luggage of life, Is the best can be said for a very good wife. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
It is a good world to live in, To lend, or to spend, or to give in; But to beg or to borrow, or to get a man's own, It is the very worst world that ever was known. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
I have to speak my mind. Because what is in my mind is always more interesting than what is happening in the world outside my mind. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Most Men are Cowards, all Men should be Knaves. The Difference lies, as far as I can see, Not in the thing it self, but the Degree. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Thus, statesmanlike, I'll saucily impose, And safe from action, valiantly advise; Sheltered in impotence, urge you to blows, And being good for nothing else, be wise. (John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester)
Farewell, woman! I intend Henceforth every night to sit With my lewd, well-natured friend, Drinking to engender wit. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Dead we become the lumber of the world. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
For all Men would be Cowards if they durst: And Honesty's against all common Sense. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
A merry monarch, scandalous and poor. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Then talk not of Inconstancy, False Hearts, and broken Vows; If I, by Miracle, can be This live-long Minute true to thee, ‘Tis all that Heav'n allows. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
The Elephant is never won with Anger, Nor must that man, who would reclaim a Lion, Take him by the teeth. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
For Wits are treated just like Common Whores; First they're enjoy'd, and then kickt out of Doors. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Here lies our sovereign lord the king, Whose word no man relies on; He never says a foolish thing, Nor ever does a wise one. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Were I, who to my Cost already am One of those strange, prodigious Creatures Man, A Spirit free, to choose for my own Share, What sort of Flesh and Blood I pleas'd to wear, I'd be a Dog, a Monkey, or a Bear, Or any thing, but that vain Animal, Who is so proud of being Rational. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
So, when my Days of Impotence approach, And I'm by Pox and Wine's unlucky chance Driv'n from the pleasing Billows of debauch On the dull Shore of lazy Temperance;My Pains at least some Respite shall afford While I behold the Battles you maintain When Fleets of Glasses sail about the Board, From whose Broad-sides Volleys of Wit shall rain. (John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester)
Reason, an Ignis fatuus of the Mind, Which leaves the light of Nature, Sense, behind. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
Lest, once more wandering from that heaven, I fall on some base heart unblest, Faithless to thee, false, unforgiven, And lose my everlasting rest. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
But a meek humble Man of modest Sense, Who, Preaching Peace, does practice Continence; Whose pious life's a proof he does believe, Mysterious Truths, which no Man can conceive. If upon Earth there dwell such God-like Men, I'll here Recant my Paradox to them; Adore those Shrines of Virtue, homage pay, And, with the rabble world, their Laws obey. If such there are, yet grant me This at least, Man differs more from Man, than Man from Beast. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
I shall never forgive you for teaching me how to love life. View quote
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester