17th-century Author Quotes

It is no longer a passion hidden in my heart:
It is Venus herself fastened to her prey.

This I did to prevent expences, for … a penny sav'd, is a penny got.

Edward Ravenscroft

To be a clergyman, and all that is compassionate and virtuous, ought to be the same thing.

Samuel Richardson

As the Creator and Preserver of men, Thou art gloriously manifest; butO! how much more gloriously art Thou revealed as reconciling ungrateful enemies to Thyself by the blood of Thy eternal Son. Here Thy beneficence displays its brightest splendor; here Thou dost fully display Thy most magnificent titles; THE LORD, THE LORD GOD, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness. How unsearchable are Thy ways, and Thy paths past finding out!

And one false step entirely damns her fame.
In vain with tears the loss she may deplore,
In vain look back on what she was before;
She sets like stars that fall, to rise no more.

To make a fortune some assistance from fate is essential. Ability alone is insufficient.

Ingratitude calls forth reproaches as gratitude brings renewed kindnesses.

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal

Wood to La. Vaine. "Tis true, Madame, Sir Positive and Poet Ninny are excellent men, and brave Bully-Rocks; but they must grant, that neither of e'm understand Mathematics but myself.

Thomas Shadwell

Hark, how chimes the passing bell! There's no music to a knell; All the other sounds we hear, Flatter, and but cheat our ear. This doth put us still in mind That our flesh must be resigned, And, a general silence made, The world be muffled in a shade.

Prostrate on earth the bleeding warrior lies,
And Isr'el's beauty on the mountains dies.
How are the mighty fallen!
Hush'd be my sorrow, gently fall my tears,
Lest my sad tale should reach the alien's ears:
Bid Fame be dumb, and tremble to proclaim
In heathen Gath, or Ascalon, our shame
Lest proud Philistia, lest our haughty foe,
With impious scorn insult our solemn woe.

William Somervile

The reconciling grave swallows distinction first, that made us foes; there all lie down in peace together.

Thomas Southerne

A quiet mediocrity is still to be preferred before a troubled superfluity.

There was a most ingenious architect who had contrived a new method for building houses, by beginning at the roof, and working downward to the foundation.

Great minds against themselves conspire, and shun the cure they most desire.

Am I new minted by thy Stamp indeed?
Mine Eyes are dim; I cannot clearly see.
Be thou my Spectacles that I may read
Thine Image and Inscription stampt on mee.

He 'midst the graceful of superior grace,
And she the loveliest of the loveliest race.

Is it not easy to conceive the World in your Mind? To think the Heavens fair? The Sun Glorious? The Earth fruitful? The Air Pleasant? The Sea Profitable? And the Giver bountiful? Yet these are the things which it is difficult to retain. For could we always be sensible of their use and value, we should be always delighted with their wealth and glory.

Thomas Traherne

He's as great a master of ill language as ever was bred at a Bear-Garden.

There is more evil in a drop of sin than in a sea of affliction.

E'er time and place were, time and place were not, When Primitive Nothing something straight begot, Then all proceeded from the great united — What.

John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

[John Aubrey, 1667] He was a shiftless person, roving and magotie-headed, and sometimes little better than crased.

A quack is as fit for a pimp as a midwife for a bawd: they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.

William Wycherley

The course of nature governs all! The course of nature is the heart of God. The miracles thou call'st for, this attest; For say, could nature nature's course control? But miracles apart, who sees Him not?

Forth, no Soldiers can be quartered in the House of any Freeman in time of Peace, without his will...

Edward Chamberlayne

Of London coffeehouses in the late 1600s:

You have all Manner of News there: You have a good Fire, which you may sit by as long as you please: You have a Dish of Coffee; you meet your Friends for the Transaction of Business, and all for a Penny, if you don't care to spend more.

Maximilien Misson