John Selden
John Selden
John Seldenwas an English jurist and a scholar of England's ancient laws and constitution and scholar of Jewish law. He was known as a polymath showing true intellectual depth and breadth; John Milton hailed Selden in 1644 as "the chief of learned men reputed in this land."...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth16 December 1584
men opinion idolatry
Idolatry is in a man's own thought, not in the opinion of another.
leadership world manipulation
The world cannot be governed without juggling.
prayer giving reason-why
Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why he should grant this, or that; he knows best what is good for us.
made parish
The Parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made, he governs the Parish.
jesus pain taken
I have taken much pains to know everything that is esteemed worth knowing amongst men; but with all my reading, nothing now remains to comfort me at the close of this life but this passage of St. Paul: "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." To this I cleave, and herein do I find rest.
sacrifice married cheerfulness
The happiness of married life depends upon making small sacrifices with readiness and cheerfulness.
philosophy discretion
Philosophy is nothing but discretion.
dance dancing world
There was never a merry world since the fairies left off dancing.
ignorance men law
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.
pain trouble pleasure
Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain, the enjoying of something I am in great trouble for till I have it.
book dying moments
There is no book on which we can rest in a dying moment but the Bible.
new-year resolution happy-new-year
Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty.
inspirational old-friends
Old friends are best.
people common reason
Gentelmen heve ever been more temperate in their religion than common people, as having more reason.