Top 56 Quotes & Sayings by Oliver Cromwell

God made them as stubble to our swords.

A few honest men are better than numbers.

Put your trust in God; but be sure to keep your powder dry.

Subtlety may deceive you; integrity never will.

The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.

Nature can do more than physicians.

No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going.

Necessity has no law.

We are Englishmen; that is one good fact.

He who stops being better stops being good.

I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentle-man and is nothing else.

I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.

Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.

Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking.

What is all our histories, but God showing himself, shaking and trampling on everything that he has not planted.

I would have been glad to have lived under my wood side, and to have kept a flock of sheep, rather than to have undertaken this government.

Who can love to walk in the dark? But providence doth often so dispose.

Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.

It's a blessed thing to die daily. For what is there in this world to be accounted of! The best men according to the flesh, and things, are lighter than vanity. I find this only good, to love the Lord and his poor despised people, to do for them and to be ready to suffer with them....and he that is found worthy of this hath obtained great favour from the Lord; and he that is established in this shall ( being conformed to Christ and the rest of the Body) participate in the glory of a resurrection which will answer all.

Men have been led in dark paths, through the providence and dispensation of God. Why, surely it is not to be objected to a man, for who can love to walk in the dark? But providence doth often so dispose.

Make the iron hot by striking it.

A man-of-war is the best ambassador.

If any man whatsoever hath carried on the design of deposing the King and disinheriting his posterity; or if any man hath yet such a design he should be the greatest traitor and rebel in the world; but, since the Providence of God hath cast this upon us, I cannot but submit to Providence.

That which brought me into the capacity I now stand in, was the Petition and Advice given me by you, who, in reference to the ancient Constitution, did draw me here to accept the place of Protector. There is not a man living can say I sought it, no not a man, nor woman, treading upon English ground.

WEEDS AND NETTLES, BRIARS AND THORNS, HAVE THRIVEN UNDER YOUR SHADOW, DISSETTLEMENT AND DIVISION, DISCONTENTMENT AND DISSATISFACTION, TOGETHER WITH REAL DANGERS TO THE WHOLE.

I have not the particular shining bauble or feather in my cap for crowds to gaze at or kneel to, but I have power and resolution for foes to tremble at.

Our swords are in God's hands, And our faith is in the Lord. Charge!

Those who stop being better stop being good.

No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going. Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.

For that which you mention concerning liberty of conscience, I meddle not with any man's conscience.

There isn't a tree to hang a man, water to drown a man nor soil to bury a man

Sir, what can be said of these things? Is it the arm of the flesh that hath done these things? Is it the wisdom and counsel, or strength of man? It is the Lord only. God will curse that man and his house that dares to think otherwise. Sir, you see the work is done by a Divine leading. God gets into the hearts of men, and persuades them to come under you.

We study the glory of God, and the honour and liberty of parliament, for which we unanimously fight, without seeking our own interests... I profess I could never satisfy myself on the justness of this war, but from the authority of the parliament to maintain itself in its rights; and in this cause I hope to prove myself an honest man and single-hearted.

He who ceases to be better, ceases to be good.

Some people have food, but no appetite; others have an appetite, but no food. I have both. The Lord be praised.

Because I fear God, I have no man to fear.

Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imaginary necessities, are the greatest cozenage men can put upon the Providence of God, and make pretences to break known rules by.

My prayer is that God give me no longer life than I shall be glad to use mine office in edification, and not in destruction.

In return for financial support will advocate admission of Jews to England; This however impossible while Charles living. Charles cannot be executed without trial on adequate grounds for which do not presently exist. Therefore advise that Charles be assassinated, but will have nothing to do with arrangements for procuring an assassin, though willing to help in his escape. [King Charles I was in prison at the time].

I have learned that if you fear God, you have no one else to fear.

THE PEOPLE WOULD BE JUST AS NOISY IF THEY WERE GOING TO SEE ME HANGED.

Mr. Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughnesses, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.

Ye may have skill in the nature of things, yet nature can do more than all physicians put together; and God is far more above nature.

A man never rises higher than when he does not know whither his path can still lead him.

Royalty is but a feather in a man's cap; let children enjoy their rattle.

I was by birth a gentleman, living neither in any considerable height nor yet in obscurity.

On becoming soldiers we have not ceased to be citizens.

There are some things in this establishment that are fundamental... about which I shall deal plainly with you... the government by a single person and a parliament is a fundamental... and... though I may seem to plead for myself, yet I do not: no, nor can any reasonable man say it... I plead for this nation, and all the honest men therein.

Does a man speak foolishly?--suffer him gladly, for you are wise. Does he speak erroneously?--stop such a man's mouth with sound words that cannot be gainsaid. Does he speak truly?--rejoice in the truth.

You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!

Your pretended fear lest error should step in, is like the man that would keep all the wine out of the country lest men should be drunk. It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy, to deny a man the liberty he hath by nature upon a supposition that he may abuse it.

I desire not to keep my place in this government an hour longer than I may preserve England in its just rights, and may protect the people of God in such a just liberty of their consciences.

I was by birth a gentleman, living neither in any considerable height, nor yet in obscurity. I have been called to several employments in the nation - to serve in parliaments, - and ( because I would not be over tedious ) I did endeavour to discharge the duty of an honest man in those services, to God, and his people's interest, and of the commonwealth; having, when time was, a competent acceptation in the hearts of men, and some evidence thereof.

Catholicism is more than a religion, it is a political power. Therefore I'm led to believe there will be no peace in Ireland until the Catholic Church is crushed

Work hard, trust in God, and keep your bowels open.

My desire is to make what haste I can to be gone.