Philip Sidney quotes
Philip Sidney (1554–1586): English poet, courtier, diplomat. The library holds 64 quotes by Philip Sidney, drawn from Arcadia, Defence of Poesy, Astrophel and Stella and other works. The 60 below are the most quoted; search the library in the maker for the rest.
Often about: life, character, kindness, love, money, health
The best-known Philip Sidney quotes
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Doing good is the only certainly happy action of a man’s life.
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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.
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Fear is far more painful to cowardice than death to true courage.
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He travels safe and not unpleasantly who is guarded by poverty and guided by love.
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Many delight more in giving of presents than in paying their debts.
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They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.
Arcadia, Book i -
High-erected thoughts seated in the heart of courtesy.
Arcadia, Book i -
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 impartial judge between the high and low.
Astrophel and Stella, St. 39 -
All is but lip wisdom which wants experience.
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He cometh unto you with a tale which holdeth children from play, and old men from the chimney-corner.
Defence of Poesy -
I willingly confess that it likes me better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature.
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Reason cannot show itself more reasonable than to cease reasoning on things above reason.
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You will never live to my age, without you keep yourselves in breath with exercise, and in heart with joyfulness.
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Whatever comes out of despair cannot bear the title of valour, which should be lifted up to such a height that, holding all things under itself, it should be able to maintain its greatness even in the midst of miseries.
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There is no dearth of charity in the world in giving, but there is comparatively little exercised in thinking and speaking.
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To be ambitious of true honor, of the true glory and perfection of our natures, is the very principle and incentive of virtue.
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There is nothing evil but what is within us; the rest is either natural or accidental.
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Fear is the underminer of all determinations; and necessity, the victorious rebel of all laws.
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Commonly they use their feet for defence whose tongue is their weapon.
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Some are unwisely liberal; and more delight to give presents than to pay debts.
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Every base occupation makes one sharp in its practice and dull in every other.
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What is mine, even to my life, is hers I love; but the secret of my friend is not mine!
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Weigh not so much what men say, as what they prove: remembering that truth is simple and naked, and needs not invective to apparel her comeliness.
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There is nothing more terrible to a guilty heart than the eye of a respected friend.
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You will never live to my age without you keep yourself in breath with exercise.
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Youth ever thinks that good whose goodness or evil he sees not.
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Love to a yielding heart is a king, but to a resisting is a tyrant.
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Laws are not made like nets—to catch, but like sea-marks—to guide.
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While there is hope left, let not the weakness of sorrow make the strength of resolution languish.
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Eagles fly alone; they are but sheep that always herd together.
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It is the temper of the highest hearts, like the palm-tree, to strive most upwards when it is most burdened.
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Unlawful desires are punished after the effect of enjoying; but impossible desires are punished in the desire itself.
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Provision is the foundation of hospitality, and thrift the fuel of magnificence.
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God has appointed us captains of this our bodily fort, which, without treason to that majesty, are never to be delivered over till they are demanded.
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The only impregnable citadel of virtue is religion; for there is no bulwark of mere morality which some temptation may not overtop, or undermine and destroy.
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I never heard the old song of Percy and Douglas that I found not my heart moved more than with a trumpet.
Defence of Poesy -
God is goodness itself, and whatsoever is good is of Him.
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The only disadvantage of an honest heart is its credulity.
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Confidence in one’s self is the chief nurse of magnanimity.
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The judgment of the world stands upon matter of fortune.
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There is little hope of equity where rebellion reigns.
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Nothing has a better effect upon children than praise.
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Contentions for trifles can get but a trifling victory.
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Cupid makes it his sport to pull the warrior’s plumes.
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Laughter almost ever cometh of things most disproportioned to ourselves.
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She is not worthy to be loved that hath not some feeling of her own worthiness.
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I am no herald to inquire of men’s pedigrees; it sufficeth me if I know their virtues.
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The scourge of life, and death’s extreme disgrace, The smoke of Hell, that monster called Paine.
Sidera: Paine -
He who seeth not the filthiness of evil wanteth a great foil to perceive the beauty of virtue.
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Give tribute, but not oblation, to human wisdom.
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Fortify courage with the true rampart of patience.
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Lamenting becomes fools, and action wise folk.
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No thralls like them that inward bondage have.
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Fool! said my muse to me, look in thy heart, and write.
Astrophel and Stella, i -
Look to thyself; reach not beyond humanity.
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Cruelty in war buyeth conquest at the dearest price.
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Sweet food of sweetly uttered knowledge.
Defence of Poesy -
Sweet speaking oft a currish heart reclaims.
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Love one time layeth burdens, another time giveth wings.
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Youth will never live to age, without they keep themselves in breath with exercise, and in heart with joyfulness. Too much thinking doth consume the spirits; and oft it falls out, that while one thinks too much of doing, he leaves to do the effect of his thinking.
Where these quotes come from
- Arcadia (3 quotes)
- Defence of Poesy (3 quotes)
- Astrophel and Stella (2 quotes)
- Sidera: Paine (1 quote)
- Astrophel and Stella, i. Second Song (1 quote)
Every quote comes from a public-domain edition. How the library was made .