Explore Quotes by John Wilmot

For all men would be cowards if they durst.

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories.

any experiment of interest in life will be carried out at your own expense

Before I married, I had three theories about raising children and no children. Now, I have three children and no theories.

Nothing suits worse with vice than want of sense

Most Men are Cowards, all Men should be Knaves. _x000D_ The Difference lies, as far as I can see, _x000D_ Not in the thing it self, but the Degree.

All monarchs I hate, and the thrones they sit on,_x000D_From the hector of France to the cully of Britain.

For Hell and the foul fiend that rules_x000D_God's everlasting fiery jails_x000D_(Devised by rogues, dreaded by fools),_x000D_With his grim, grisly dog that keeps the door,_x000D_Are senseless stories, idle tales,_x000D_Dreams, whimseys, and no more.

Since 'tis Nature's law to change, Constancy alone is strange.

Late children are early orphans.

'Tis dangerous to think - For who by thinking tempts his jealous Fate, Is straight arraign'd as Traytor to the State, And none that come within the Verge of Sense, Have to Preferment now the least Pretence. . . .

Dead we become the lumber of the world.

Love, the most generous passion of the mind _x000D_ The softest refuge innocence can find

Man differs more from man than man from beast

For all Men would be Cowards if they durst: _x000D_ And Honesty's against all common Sense.

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.

It is a very good world to live in, To lend or to spend, or to live in; but to beg or to borrow, or to get a man's own, It is the very worst world that ever was known.

He never said a foolish thing nor never did a wise one.

I'd be a dog, a monkey, or a bear, or anything but that vain animal who is so proud of being rational.

God bless our good and gracious King, Whose promise none relies on; Who never said a foolish thing, Nor ever did a wise one.

Now piercèd is her virgin zone; She feels the foe within it. She hears a broken amorous groan, The panting lover's fainting moan, Just in the happy minute.