Francis Quarles

Wickedness is its own punishment.

— Francis Quarles

Toyish airs please trivial ears.

— Francis Quarles

Knowledge descries; wisdom applies.

— Francis Quarles

Afflictions clarify the soul.

— Francis Quarles

My mind's my kingdom.

— Francis Quarles

“My mind is my kingdom.”

— Francis Quarles

No cross no crown.

— Francis Quarles

A lamb appears a lion, and we fear Each bush we see's a bear.

— Francis Quarles

Reason can discover things only near,--sees nothing that's above her.

— Francis Quarles

Be wisely worldly, but not worldly wise.

— Francis Quarles

Whose gold is double with a careful hand, His cares are double.

— Francis Quarles

Let grace conduct thee to the paths of peace.

— Francis Quarles

The grave is sooner cloy'd than men's desire.

— Francis Quarles

Nothing is more pleasing to God than an open hand, and a closed mouth.

— Francis Quarles

Nor fire, nor rocks, can stop our furious minds, Nor waves, nor winds.

— Francis Quarles

Neutrality is dangerous, whereby thou becomest a necessary prey to the conqueror.

— Francis Quarles

If thy daughter marry well, thou hast found a son; if not, thou hast lost a daughter.

— Francis Quarles

Hath any wounded thee with injuries? Meet them with patience. Hasty words rankle the wound; soft language dresses it.

— Francis Quarles

Anger may repast with thee for an hour, but not repose for a night; the continuance of anger is hatred, the continuance…

— Francis Quarles

The slender debt to Nature's quickly paid,Discharged, perchance, with greater ease than made.

— Francis Quarles

Is not this lily pure? What fuller can procure A white so perfect, spotless clear As in this flower doth appear?

— Francis Quarles

Borrow neither money nor time from your neighbor; both are of equal value.

— Francis Quarles

Temper your enjoyments with prudence, lest there be written on your heart that fearful word 'satiety.'

— Francis Quarles

Lust is an immoderate wantonness of the flesh, a sweet poison, a cruel pestilence; a pernicious poison, which weakeneth the body of…

— Francis Quarles

After years of research, scientists recently reported that there is, indeed, arroz in Spanish Harlem. A full tongue and an empty brain…

— Francis Quarles

That action is not warrantable which either fears to ask the divine blessing on its performance, or having succeeded, does not come…

— Francis Quarles

In all thy actions think God sees thee; and in all His actions labor to see Him; that will make thee fear…

— Francis Quarles

Money is both the generation and corruption of purchased honor; honor is both the child and slave of potent money: the credit…

— Francis Quarles

Though virtue give a ragged livery, she gives a golden cognizance; if her service make thee poor, blush not. Thy poverty may…

— Francis Quarles

Be as far from desiring the popular love as fearful to deserve the popular hate; ruin dwells in both: the one will…

— Francis Quarles

Hath fortune dealt thee ill cards? let wisdom make thee a good gamester. In a fair gale, every fool may sail, but…

— Francis Quarles

I here present thee with a hive of bees, laden some with wax, and some with honey. Fear not to approach! there…

— Francis Quarles

In the height of thy prosperity expect adversity, but fear it not. If it come not, thou art the more sweetly possessed…

— Francis Quarles

Yet, sluggard, wake, and gull thy soul no more With earth's false pleasures, and the world's delight, Whose fruit is fair and…

— Francis Quarles

It is a most just punishment, that man should lose that freedom, which man could not use, yet had power to keep,…

— Francis Quarles

Thy ignorance in unrevealed mysteries is the mother of a saving faith, and thy understanding in revealed truths is the mother of…

— Francis Quarles

There be three sorts of government--monarchical, aristocratical, democratical; and they are apt to fall three several ways into ruin--the first, by tyranny;…

— Francis Quarles

Be very vigilant over thy child in the April of his understanding, lest the frost of May nip his blossoms. While he…

— Francis Quarles

Demean thyself more warily in thy study than in the street. If thy public actions have a hundred witnesses, thy private have…

— Francis Quarles

Death aims with fouler spiteAt fairer marks.

— Francis Quarles