Rather do what is nothing to the purpose than be idle; that the devil may find thee doing. The bird that sits… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
If thou desire the love of God and man, be humble, for the proud heart, as it loves none but itself, is… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Humility enforces where neither virtue nor strength can prevail, nor reason. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Gaze not on beauty too much, lest it blast thee; nor too long, lest it blind thee; nor too near, lest it… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
If virtue accompany it, it is the heart's paradise; if vice associate it, it is the soul's purgatory. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Virtue is nothing but an act of loving that which is to be beloved, and that act is prudence, from whence not… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Even as the needle that directs the hour, (Touched with the loadstone) by the secret power Of hidden Nature, points upon the… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
If thou desire to purchase honor with thy wealth, consider first how that wealth became thine; if thy labor got it, let… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Let the foundation of thy affection be virtue, then make the building as rich as glorious as thou canst; if the foundation… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
As all things eternal and primordial reappear, so all things mortal return to the earth. Honor, old age, probity, justice, constance, virtue,… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Though virtue give a ragged livery, she gives a golden cognizance; if her service make thee poor, blush not. Thy poverty may… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
The World's a Printing-House, our words, our thoughts, Our deeds, are characters of several sizes. Each soul is a Compos'tor, of whose faults The… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Luxury is an enticing pleasure, a bastard mirth, which hath honey in her mouth, gall in her heart, and a sting in her tail. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Deliberate long before thou consecrate a friend, and when thy impartial justice concludes him worthy of thy bosom, receive him joyfully, and entertain him… — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
What treasures here do Mammon's sons behold! Yet know that all that which glitters is not gold. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
Meditation is the life of the soul: Action, the soul of meditation; and honor the reward of action. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
The world is deceitful; her end is doubtful, her conclusion is horrible, her judge terrible, and her judgment is intolerable. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
I wish thee as much pleasure in the reading, as I had in the writing. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
The suburbs of folly is vain mirth, and profuseness of laughter is the city of fools. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
The fountain of beauty is the heart and every generous thought illustrates the walls of your chamber. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
The strong desires of man's insatiate breast may stand possess'd Of all that earth can give; but earth can give no rest. — Francis Quarles Copy Share Image
