“Philosophy is nothing but discretion.”
“Wise people say nothing in dangerous times.”
“The world cannot be governed without juggling.”
“They that govern the most make the least noise.”
“It's not the drinking to be blamed, but the excess.”
“Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of pain.”
“Idolatry is in a man's own thought, not in the opinion of another.”
“'Tis not seasonable to call a man traitor, that has an army at his heels.”
“Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were easiest for his feet.”
“In quoting of books, quote such authors as are usually read; others you may read for your own satisfaction, but not name them.”
“Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why he should grant this, or that; he knows best what is good for us.”
“A king is a thing men have made for their own sakes, for quietness sake. Just as in a family one man is appointed to buy the meat.”
“To preach long, loud, and Damnation, is the way to be cried up. We love a man that damns us, and we run after him again to save us.”
“Of all actions of a man's life, his marriage does least concern other people, yet of all actions of our life 'Tis most meddled with by other people.”
“They that are against superstition oftentimes run into it of the wrong side. If I wear all colors but black, then I am superstitious in not wearing black.”
“Pleasures are all alike simply considered in themselves: he that hunts, or he that governs the commonwealth, they both please themselves alike, only we commend that, whereby we ourselves receive some benefit.”
“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.”
“He that has not religion to govern his morality, is not a dram better than my mastiff-dog; so long as you stroke him, and please him, and do not pinch him, he will play with you as finely as may be, he is a very good moral mastiff; but if you hurt him, he will fly in your face, and tear out your throat.”