Philip Sidney
Philip Sidney
Sir Philip Sidneywas an English poet, courtier, scholar, and soldier, who is remembered as one of the most prominent figures of the Elizabethan age. His works include Astrophel and Stella, The Defence of Poesy, and The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth30 November 1554
comfort shame bounds
In shame there is no comfort but to be beyond all bounds of shame.
suicide wish vain
It is no less vain to wish death than it is cowardly to fear it.
wise thinking dull
A dull head thinks of no better way to show himself wise, than by suspecting everything in his way.
mind virtue hiding
In the clear mind of virtue treason can find no hiding-place.
victory trifling trifles
Contentions for trifles can get but a trifling victory.
poet never-lie
...the poet, he nothing affirmeth, and therefore never lieth.
self abandon
Who will adhere to him that abandons himself?
grace prison excellent
It is hard, but it is excellent, to find the right knowledge of when correction is necessary and when grace doth most avail.
may brightness rays
Happiness is a sunbeam, which may pass though a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray.
names answers needs
There have been many most excellent poets that have never versified, and now swarm many versifiers that need never answer to the name of poets.
heart character noble
A noble heart, like the sun, showeth its greatest countenance in its lowest estate.
gossip rumor behind-your-back
Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
knowledge action should
The end of all knowledge should be in virtuous action.
advice bravery mind
Alexander received more bravery of mind by the pattern of Achilles, than by hearing the definition of fortitude.