Philip Sidney Quotes

97 Sourced Quotes

Come sleep, O sleep, the certain knot of peace,
The baiting place of wit, the balm of woe,
The poor man's wealth, the prisoner's release,
The indifferent judge between the high and low.

Philip Sidney
.... But words came halting forth, wanting Invention's stay,
Invention, Nature's child, fled step-dame Study's blows,
And others' feet still seemed but strangers in my way.
Thus great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes,
Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite:
"Fool," said my Muse to me, "look in thy heart and write."

Philip Sidney
Who will ever give counsel, if the counsel be judged by the event, and if it be not found wise, shall therefore be thought wicked?

Philip Sidney
In shame there is no comfort but to be beyond all bounds of shame.

Philip Sidney
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.

Philip Sidney
The scourge of life, and death's extreme disgrace, The smoke of hell,--that monster called Paine.

Philip Sidney
Confidence in one's self is the chief nurse of magnanimity, which confidence, notwithstanding, doth not leave the care of necessary furniture for it; and therefore, of all the Grecians, Homer doth ever make Achilles the best armed.

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

Philip Sidney
The truly great man is as apt to forgive as his power is able to revenge.

Philip Sidney
Ambition, like love, can abide no lingering; and ever urgeth on his own successes, hating nothing but what may stop them.

Philip Sidney
Fear is far more painful to cowardice than death to true courage.

Philip Sidney
What doth better become wisdom than to discern what is worthy the living.

Philip Sidney
Ambition thinks no face so beautiful as that which looks from under a crown.

Philip Sidney
Plato found fault that the poets of his time filled the world with wrong opinions of the gods, making light tales of that unspotted essence, and therefore would not have the youth depraved with such opinions.

Philip Sidney
The day seems long, but night is odious; no sleep, but dreams; no dreams but visions strange.

Philip Sidney
You will never live to my age without you keep yourselves in breath with exercise, and in heart with joyfulness.

Philip Sidney
Courage ought to be guided by skill, and skill armed by courage. Neither should hardiness darken wit, nor wit cool hardiness. Be valiant as men despising death, but confident as unwonted to be overcome.

Philip Sidney
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.

Philip Sidney
It is no less vain to wish death than it is cowardly to fear it.

Philip Sidney
The general goodness, which is nourished in noble hearts makes every one think that strength of virtue to be in another whereof they find assured foundation in themselves.

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

Philip Sidney
What is birth to a man if it shall be a stain to his dead ancestors to have left such an offspring?

Philip Sidney
As well the soldier dieth who standeth still as he that gives the bravest onset.

Philip Sidney
Remember that in all miseries lamenting becomes fools, and action, wise folk.

Philip Sidney
Every base occupation makes one sharp in its practice, and dull in every other.

Philip Sidney
There is nothing sooner overthrows a weak head than opinion by authority, like too strong a liquor for a frail glass.

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

Philip Sidney
Unlawful desires are punished after the effect of enjoying; but impossible desires are punished in the desire itself.

Philip Sidney
Woman was formed to admire; man to be admirable. His are the glories of the sun at noonday; hers the softened splendors of the midnight moon.

Philip Sidney
Liking is not always the child of beauty; but whatsoever is liked, to the liker is beautiful.

Philip Sidney