101 Quotes by John Selden

Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world.

A glorious Church is like a magnificent feast; there is all the variety that may be, but every one chooses out a dish or two that he likes, and lets the rest alone: how glorious soever the Church is, every one chooses out of it his own religion, by which he governs himself, and lets the rest alone.

Wit and wisdom are born with a man.

More solid things do not show the complexion of the times so well as Ballads and Libels.

Ignorance of the law excuses no man.

Every law is a contract between the king and the people and therefore to be kept.

Those that govern most make least noise.

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.

He that hath a scrupulous conscience is like a horse that is not well weighed; he starts at every bird that flies out of the hedge.