Top 41 Quotes & Sayings by John Wilmot

For all men would be cowards if they durst.

Before I married, I had three theories about raising children and no children. Now, I have three children and no theories.

Man differs more from Man, than Man from Beast.

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories.

Love's chemistry thrives best in equal heat.

'Tis dangerous to think - For who by thinking tempts his jealous Fate, Is straight arraign'd as Traytor to the State, And none that come within the Verge of Sense, Have to Preferment now the least Pretence. . . .

I wish to be moved. I cannot feel in life. I must have others do it for me in theater.

He never said a foolish thing nor never did a wise one.

Farewell, woman! I intend Henceforth every night to sit With my lewd, well-natured friend, Drinking to engender wit.

I have to speak my mind. Because what is in my mind is always more interesting than what is happening in the world outside my mind.

The clog of all pleasure, the luggage of life, is the best can be said for a very good wife.

The theatre is my drug. And my illness is so far advanced that my physic must be of the highest quality.

All monarchs I hate, and the thrones they sit on, From the hector of France to the cully of Britain.

I'd be a dog, a monkey, or a bear, or anything but that vain animal who is so proud of being rational.

To pick out the wildest and most fantastical odd man alive, and to place your kindness there, is an act so brave and daring as will show the greatness of your spirit and distinguish you in love, as you are in all things else, from womankind.

All men would be cowards if they could.

Most Men are Cowards, all Men should be Knaves. The Difference lies, as far as I can see, Not in the thing it self, but the Degree.

Mothers who force their daughters into interested marriage, are worse than the Ammonites who sacrificed their children to Moloch--the latter undergoing a speedy death, the former suffering years of torture, but too frequently leading to the same result.

For Hell and the foul fiend that rules God's everlasting fiery jails (Devised by rogues, dreaded by fools), With his grim, grisly dog that keeps the door, Are senseless stories, idle tales, Dreams, whimseys, and no more.

Thus, statesmanlike, I'll saucily impose, And safe from action, valiantly advise; Sheltered in impotence, urge you to blows, And being good for nothing else, be wise.

Nothing suits worse with vice than want of sense

For all Men would be Cowards if they durst: And Honesty's against all common Sense.

God bless our good and gracious King, Whose promise none relies on; Who never said a foolish thing, Nor ever did a wise one.

Envy is a passion so full of cowardice and shame that nobody ever had the confidence to own it.

Custom does often reason overrule.

Born to myself, I like myself alone.

Now piercèd is her virgin zone; She feels the foe within it. She hears a broken amorous groan, The panting lover's fainting moan, Just in the happy minute.

Late children are early orphans.

I shall never forgive you for teaching me how to love life.

Whenever you preach, be sure that you lift the Saviour high and lay the sinner low.

Dead we become the lumber of the world.

It is a very good world to live in, To lend or to spend, or to live in; but to beg or to borrow, or to get a man's own, It is the very worst world that ever was known.

Books bear him up a while, and make him try to swim with bladders of philosophy.

any experiment of interest in life will be carried out at your own expense

Since 'tis Nature's law to change, Constancy alone is strange.

Man differs more from man than man from beast

Love, the most generous passion of the mind The softest refuge innocence can find

Angels listen when she speaks; She's my delight, all mankind's wonder; But my jealous heart would break Should we live one day asunder.

Tis a meaner part of sense to find a fault than taste an excellence.

If you have a grateful heart (which is a miracle amongst you statesmen), show it by directing the bearer to the best wine in town, and pray let not this highest point of sacred friendship be performed slightly, but go about it with all due deliberation and care, as holy priests to sacrifice, or as discreet thieves to the wary performance of burglary and shop-lifting. Let your well-discerning palate (the best judge about you) travel from cellar to cellar and then from piece to piece till it has lighted on wine fit for its noble choice and my approbation.

Natural freedoms are but just: There's something generous in mere lust.