Orientalists

"Never king dropped out of the clouds."

"Syllables govern the world."

"They that govern the most make the least noise."

"Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world."

"Marriage is a desperate thing."

"Of all actions of a man's life his marriage does least concern other people, yet of all actions of our life 'tis most meddled with by other people."

"Philosophy is nothing but discretion."

"Take a straw and throw it up into the air — you may see by that which way the wind is."

"Few men make themselves masters of the things they write or speak."

"Wit and wisdom are born with a man."

"No man is the wiser for his learning."

"The parish makes the constable, and when the constable is made he governs the parish."

"Ignorance of the law excuses no man; not that all men know the law, but because 'tis an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to refute him."

"Gentelmen heve ever been more temperate in their religion than common people, as having more reason."

"Equity is a roguish thing. For Law we have a measure, know what to trust to; Equity is according to the conscience of him that is Chancellor, and as that is larger or narrower, so is Equity. 'T is all one as if they should make the standard for the measure we call a "foot" a Chancellor's foot; what an uncertain measure would this be! One Chancellor has a long foot, another a short foot, a third an indifferent foot. 'T is the same thing in the Chancellor's conscience."

"Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world."

"Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear."

"Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were easiest for his feet."

"The House of Commons is called the Lower House, in twenty Acts of Parliament; but what are twenty Acts of Parliament amongst Friends?"

"Commonly we say a judgement falls upon a man for something in him we cannot abide."