Philip Sidney Quotes - Page 3

Remember always, that man is a creature whose reason is often darkened with error.

To be ambitious of true honor and of the real glory and perfection of our nature is the very principle and incentive of virtue; but to be ambitious of titles, place, ceremonial respects, and civil pageantry, is as vain and little as the things are which we court

Reason cannot show itself more reasonable than to cease reasoning on things above reason.

For the uttering sweetly and properly the conceit of the mind, English hath it equally with any other tongue in the world.

Malice, in its false witness, promotes its tale with so cunning a confusion, so mingles truths with falsehoods, surmises with certainties, causes of no moment with matters capital, that the accused can absolutely neither grant nor deny, plead innocen.

Much more may a judge overweigh himself in cruelty than in clemency.

Friendship is made fast by interwoven benefits.

The violence of sorrow is not at the first to be striven withal; being, like a mighty beast, sooner tamed with following than overthrown by withstanding.

We become willing servants to the good by the bonds their virtues lay upon us.

Ungratefulness is the very poison of manhood.

Honor, thou strong idol of man's mind.

The best legacy I can leave my children is free speech, and the example of using it.

The judgment of the world stands upon matter of fortune.

To the disgrace of men it is seen that there are women both more wise to judge what evil is expected, and more constant to bear it when it happens.

How violently do rumors blow the sails of popular judgments! How few there be that can discern between truth and truth-likeness, between shows and substance!

As the fertilest ground, must be manured, so must the highest flying wit have a Daedalus to guide him.

A noble cause doth ease much a grievous case.

Happiness is a sunbeam, which may pass though a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray.

A noble heart, like the sun, showeth its greatest countenance in its lowest estate.

There is a certain delicacy which in yielding conquers; and with a pitiful look makes one find cause to crave help one's self.

All is but lip-wisdom which wants experience.

Some are unwisely liberal, and more delight to give presents than to pay debts.

With a tale, forsooth, he cometh unto you; with a tale which holdeth children from play, and old men from the chimney corner.

Approved valor is made precious by natural courtesy.

High-erected thoughts seated in the heart of courtesy.