16th-century Author Quotes

But chieflye the anatomye Ye oughte to understande: If ye will cure well anye thinge, That ye doe take in hande.

There are numerous regions there, but most are unknown to us, either because of the length and difficulty of the journey, or because of the diversity of the languages and beliefs, which hinders them from having relations with the countries that are known to us, just as they hinder ours from having relations with theirs.

It has always been more difficult for a man to keep than to get; for, in the one case, fortune aids, which often assists injustice; but, in the other case, sense is required. Therefore, we often see a person deficient in cleverness rise to wealth; and then, from want of sense, roll head over heels to the bottom.

Giambattista Basile

Some people measure the worth of good actions only by their natural qualities or their difficulty, given the preference to what is conspicuous or brilliant... The dignity and difficulty of a good action certainly affects what is technically called its accidental worth, but all its essential worth comes from love alone.

Jean-Pierre Camus

A monkey's transformed body weds
the human mind. Mind is a monkey —
this, the truth profound.

In dancing the Alman the young men sometimes steal the damsels from their partners and he who has been robbed seeks to obtain another damsel. But I do not hold with this behaviour because it may lead to quarrels and heart burning.

Of all Insects, Bees are the principal and are chiefly to be admired, being the only creature of that kinde framed for the nourishment of Man; but the rest are procreated either to be useful in physic, or for delight of the eyes, the pleasure of the ears, or the completing and ornament of the body.

Men are just like unlit lamps: in themselves they are no good for anything, but, when lit, they can be handy to have around the house.

A wind-vane changeable huff-puff
Always is a woman.

Richard Stanihurst

We thinke no greater blisse then such
To be as be we would,
When blessed none but such as be
The same as be they should.

Through his honor I conquered him. For these peasants carry their honor in their hands so that they may constantly consult it; this same honor that once felt so much at home in the city but now has taken refuge in a more rural setting.

Tirso de Molina

Affect not as some do that bookish ambition to be stored with books and have well-furnished libraries, yet keep their heads empty of knowledge; to desire to have many books, and never to use them, is like a child that will have a candle burning by him all the while he is sleeping.

He called for his urinal and having made water in it, he cast it, & viewed it (as Physicians do) a prettie while; at last he swore soberly, he saw nothing in that man's water, but that he might live.

John Harington (writer)

We can be stabbed without being flattered, but we're rarely flattered without being stabbed.

Francisco de Quevedo

The first men that our Saviour dear
Did choose to wait upon him here,
Blest fishers were; and fish the last
Food was, that he on earth did taste:
I therefore strive to follow those
Whom he to follow him hath chose.

Tell them, my soul, the fears that make me quake:
The smouldering brimstone and the burning lake,
Life feeding death, death ever life devouring,
Torments not moved, unheard, yet still roaring,
God lost, hell found,—ever, never begun.
Now bid me into flame from smoke to run!

William Alabaster

Companion none is like Unto the mind alone;
For many have been harmed by speech,
Through thinking, few or none.

Thomas, Lord Vaux

I loved thee once. I'll love no more,
Thine be the grief, as is the blame;
Thou art not what thou wast before,
What reason I should be the same?

Nor too much wealth nor wit come to thee,
So much of either may undo thee.

It is your virtue, being men, to try;
And it is ours, by virtue to deny.

Michael Drayton

But now I see well the old proverb is true: That parish priest forgetteth that ever he was a clerk!

The proud daughter of that monarch to whom when it grows dark [elsewhere] the sun never sets.

Giovanni Battista Guarini

Sweet are the thoughts that savor of content; The quiet mind is richer than a crown.

Robert Greene (dramatist)

Let me go warm and merry still;
And let the world laugh, an' it will.

Luis de Góngora

Whilst we strive To live most free, we're caught in our own toils.