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Quotes by Butler
129 quotations from The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896), with the subject each one is filed under.
The self-same thing they will abhor One way, and long another for.— filed under Abhorrence
France. He could raise scruples dark and nice, And after solve 'em in a trice; As if Divinity had catch'd The itch, on purpose to be scratch'd.— filed under Ability
S. 'Where entity and quiddity, The ghosts of defunct bodies, fly. A.— filed under Apparitions
He'd undertake to prove, by force Of argument, a man's no horse. He'd prove a buzzard is no fowl, And that a Lord may be an owl, A calf an Alderman, a goose a Justice, And rooks, Committee-men or Trustees.— filed under Argument
I've heard old cunning stagers Say, fools for arguments use wagers.— filed under Argument
Whatever Sceptic could inquire for, For every why he had a wherefore.— filed under Argument
Touching emission of immateriate virtues, etc. Authority intoxicates, And makes mere sots of magistrates; The fumes of it invade the brain, And make men giddy, proud, and vain. S.— filed under Authority
(1618: reprint.) P. 183. Like feather-bed betwixt a wall And heavy brunt of cannon ball.— filed under Bed
For fools are stubborn in their way, As coins are harden'd by th' allay; And obstinacy's ne'er so stiff As when 'tis in a wrong belief.— filed under Belief
The Roman senate, when within The city walls an owl was seen, Did cause their clergy, with lustrations * * * * * * The round-fac'd prodigy t' avert, From doing town or country hurt.— filed under Birds-Owl
Cheered up himself with ends of verse And sayings of philosophers.— filed under Cheerfulness
There's but the twinkling of a star Between a man of peace and war.— filed under Vii
Subsect. 3. Why should not Conscience have vacation As well as other Courts o' th' nation? Have equal power to adjourn, Appoint appearance and return?— filed under Conscience
Through perils both of wind and limb, Through thick and thin she follow'd him.— filed under Constancy
True as the dial to the sun, Although it be not shined upon.— filed under Constancy
For those that run away and fly, Take place at least o' th' enemy.— filed under Cowardice-Cowards
He was in Logic, a great critic, Profoundly skill'd in Analytic; He could distinguish, and divide A hair 'twixt south and south-west side.— filed under Criticism
Each window like a pill'ry appears, With heads thrust through nail'd by the ears.— filed under Curiosity
Friend Ralph! thou hast Outrun the constable at last!— filed under Death
Subsec. 2 Quoth Hudibras, I smell a rat; Ralpho, thou dost prevaricate.— filed under Deceit
For now the field is not far off Where we must give the world a proof Of deeds, not words.— filed under Deeds
Subsect. 3. And bid the devil take the hin'most. S.— filed under Devil, The
Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick (Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).— filed under Devil, The
Have always been at daggers-drawing, And one another clapper-clawing.— filed under Dissension
For his religion, it was fit To match his learning and his wit; 'Twas Presbyterian true blue; For he was of that stubborn crew Of errant saints, whom all men grant To be the true Church Militant; Such as do build their faith upon The holy text of pike and gun; Decide all controversies by Infallible artillery; And prove their doctrine orthodox, By Apostolic blows and knocks.— filed under Doctrine
What makes all doctrines plain and clear?- About two hundred pounds a year. And that which was prov'd true before Prove false again? Two hundred more.— filed under Doctrine
Subsec. 3. And as the French we conquer'd once, Now give us laws for pantaloons, The length of breeches and the gathers, Port-cannons, periwigs, and feathers.— filed under Fashion
Success, the mark no mortal wit, Or surest hand, can always hit : For whatsoe'er we perpetrate, We do but row, we're steer'd by Fate, Which in success oft disinherits, For spurious causes, noblest merits.— filed under Fate
Fear is an ague, that forsakes And haunts, by fits, those whom it takes; And they'll opine they feel the pain And blows they felt, to-day, again.— filed under Fear
His fear was greater than his haste: For fear, though fleeter than the wind, Believes 'tis always left behind.— filed under Fear
It is unseasonable and unwholesome in all months that have not an Rin their names to eat an oyster.— filed under Fish
Picture at full length between the Busts of Sir Isaac Newton and Mr. Pope. For blocks are better cleft with wedges, Than tools of sharp or subtle edges, And dullest nonsense has been found By some to be the most profound.— filed under Folly
He made an instrument to know If the moon shine at full or no. * * * * * * And prove that she's not made of green cheese.— filed under Folly
C. Canto III. L. 261. To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd. And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.— filed under Folly
With mortal crisis doth portend, My days to appropinque an end.— filed under Futurity
He ne'er consider'd it as loth To look a gift-horse in the mouth, And very wisely would lay forth No more upon it than 'twas worth; But as he got it freely, so He spent it frank and freely too: For saints themselves will sometimes be, Of gifts that cost them nothing, free.— filed under Gifts
Than an old, lazy government, That knows no interest of state, But such as serves a present strait.— filed under Government
As quick as lightning, in the breach Just in the place where honour's lodged, As wise philosophers have judged, Because a kick in that place more Hurts honour than deep wounds before.— filed under Honor
If he that in the field is slain Be in the bed of honour lain, He that is beaten may be said To lie in Honour's truckle-bed. и. BUTLER-Hudibras. Pt. I. Canto III. L. 1,047. Now, while the honour thou hast got Is spick and span new.— filed under Honor
The truest characters of ignorance Are vanity, and pride, and annoyance. S.— filed under Ignorance
For witnesses, like watches, go Just as they're set, too fast or slow; And, where in Conscience they're strait-lac'd, 'Tis ten to one that side is cast.— filed under Influence
France. So justice while she winks at crimes, Stumbles on innocence sometimes.— filed under Justice
Deep sighted in intelligences, Ideas, atoms, influences.— filed under Knowledge
He knew whats'ever 's to be known, But much more than he knew would own.— filed under Knowledge
He knew what's what, and that's as high As metaphysic wit can fly.— filed under Knowledge
Nor do I know what is become Of him, more than the Pope of Rome.— filed under Knowledge
A Babylonish dialect Which learned pedants much affect.— filed under Language
Subsec. 2. And wisely tell what hour o' th' day The clock does strike by Algebra.— filed under Learning
In mathematics he was greater Than Tycho Brahe, or Erra Pater; For he, by geometric scale, Could take the size of pots of ale.— filed under Learning
Manners of the Present Age. Ch. XII. Besides 't is known he could speak Greek As naturally as pigs squeak; That Latin was no more difficile Than to a blackbird 't is to whistle.— filed under Linguists
Subsec. 2. Love is a boy by poets styl'd: Then spare the rod and spoil the child.— filed under Love
What mad lover ever dy'd, To gain a soft and gentle bride? Or for a lady tender-hearted, In purling streams or hemp departed?— filed under Love
Democritus to the Reader. 'Cause grace and virtue are within Prohibited degrees of kin; And therefore no true Saint allows, They shall be suffer'd to espouse.— filed under Matrimony
America. Such as take lodgings in a head That's to be let unfurnished.— filed under Mind
What plaguy mischief and mishaps Do dog him still with after claps!— filed under Mischief
Still amorous, and fond, and billing, Like Philip and Mary on a shilling.— filed under Money
He made an instrument to know If the moon shine at full or no; That would, as soon as e'er she shone straight, Whether 'twere day or night demonstrate; Tell what her d'ameter to an inch is, And prove that she's not made of green cheese.— filed under Monuments
The moon pull'd off her veil of light, That hides her face by day from sight (Mysterious veil, of brightness made, That's both her lustre and her shade,) And in the lantern of the night, With shining horns hung out her light,— filed under Monuments
For discords make the sweetest airs.— filed under Music
Oaths were not purpos'd, more than law, To keep the Good and Just in awe, But to confine the Bad and Sinful, Like mortal cattle in a penfold.— filed under Oaths
O. Then how can any man be said To break an oath he never made?— filed under November
And force them, though it was in spite Of Nature and their stars, to write.— filed under Occupations-Alchemy
Democritus to the Reader. Is not the winding up witnesses, And nicking, more than half the bus'ness? For witnesses, like watches, go Just as they're set, too fast or slow; And where in Conscience they're strait-lac'd, 'Tis ten to one that side is cast.— filed under Occupations-Law
Your pettifoggers damn their souls, To share with knaves in cheating fools. S.— filed under Occupations-Law
Learn'd he was in medic'nal lore, For by his side a pouch he wore, Replete with strange hermetic powder That wounds nine miles point-blank would solder. S.— filed under Occupations-Law
'Tis not amiss, ere ye're giv'n o'er, To try one desp'rate med'cine more; For where your case can be no worse, The desp'rat'st is the wisest course.— filed under Occupations-Law
Ay me! what perils do environ The man that meddles with cold iron!— filed under Occupations-Military
And pulpit, drum ecclesiastic, Was beat with fist instead of a stick. и.— filed under Occupations-Post
After he had administer'd a dose Of snuff mundungus to his nose; And powder'd th' inside of his skull, Instead of th' outward jobbernol, He shook it with a scornful look On th' adversary, and thus he spoke.— filed under Occupations-Teaching
Sure 'tis an orthodox opinion, That grace is founded in dominion.— filed under Opinion
With books and money plac'd, for show Like nest eggs, to make clients lay, And for his false opinion pay. и.— filed under Opinion
For rhetoric, he could not ope His mouth, but out there flew a trope.— filed under Oratory
The trenchant blade Toledo trusty, For want of fighting was grown rusty, And ate into itself for lack Of somebody to hew and hack. C.— filed under Peace
As men of inward light are wont To turn their optics in upon't.— filed under Perception
Ay me! what perils do environ The man that meddles with cold iron!— filed under Perils
Beside, he was a shrewd philosopher, And had read ev'ry text and gloss over; Whate'er the crabbed'st author hath, He understood b' implicit faith.— filed under Philosophy
Doubtless the pleasure is as great Of being cheated as to cheat.— filed under Aaron Burr
For rhyme the rudder is of verses, With which, like ships, they steer their courses.— filed under Poetry
Some force whole regions, in despite O' geography, to change their site; Make former times shake hands with latter, And that which was before come after; But those that write in rhyme still make The one verse for the other's sake; For one for sense, and one for rhyme, I think's sufficient at one time.— filed under Poetry
And poets by their sufferings grow, - As if there were no more to do, To make a poet excellent, But only want and discontent.— filed under Poets
'Tis true no lover has that pow'r T' enforce a desperate amour, As he that has two strings t' his bow, And burns for love and money too. Canto I.— filed under Power
As you sow, y' are like to reap.— filed under Proverbs
The Golden Legend. Pt. VI. Doubtless the pleasure is as great Of being cheated as to cheat. C.— filed under Proverbs
He that has two strings t' his bow.— filed under Proverbs
He that is down can fall no lower. Canto III.— filed under Proverbs
I'll make the fur Fly 'bout the ears of the old cur.— filed under Proverbs
Long ailments wear out pain, and long hopes joy. STANISLAUS (King of Poland)-Maxims and Moral Sentences. No. 8. Look before you ere you leap.— filed under Proverbs
Or shear swine, all cry and no wool. jj.— filed under Proverbs
P. 287. Which he by hook or crook has gather'd And by his own inventions father'd.— filed under Alexander Severus
You have a wrong sow by the ear.— filed under Providence
Some have been beaten till they know What wood a cudgel's of by th' blow: Some kick'd until they can feel whether A shoe be Spanish or neat's leather.— filed under Punishment
Of the Pulpit. All which he understood by rote, And, as occasion serv'd, would quote.— filed under Quotation
The worst of rebels never arm To do their king or country harm, But draw their swords to do them good, As doctors cure by letting blood.— filed under Rebellion
Subsec. I. As if Religion were intended For nothing else but to be mended. C.— filed under Xxv
So, ere the storm of war broke out, Religion spawn'd a various rout Of petulant capricious sects, The maggots of corrupted texts, That first run all religion down, And after every swarm its own.— filed under Xxv
Synods are mystical Bear-gardens, Where Elders, Deputies, Church-wardens, And other Members of the Court, Manage the Babylonish sport.— filed under Xxv
If not, resolve, before we go, That you and I must pull a crow. Y' 'ad best (quoth Ralpho), as the Ancients Say wisely, have a care o' the main chance.— filed under Resolution
Videlicit, That each man swore to do his best To damn and perjure all the rest.— filed under Resolution
Compound for sins they are inclin'd to, By damning those they have no mind to.— filed under Sin
SOUL (THE). And he that makes his soul his surety, I think, does give the best security.— filed under Sorrow
Day. VI. With many a stiff thwack, many a bang, Hard crab-tree and old iron rang.— filed under Sound
For brevity is very good, Where we are, or are not understood.— filed under Speech
He who does not make his words rather serve to conceal than discover the sense of his heart deserves to have it pulled out like a traitor's and shown publicly to the rabble.— filed under Speech
Beautiful. Magnificence. Cry out upon the stars for doing Ill offices, to cross their wooing.— filed under Stars
The sun had long since in the lap Of Thetis taken out his nap, And, like a lobster boil'd, the morn From black to red began to turn.— filed under Sunrise
Quoth Sidrophel, If you suppose, Sir Knight, that I am one of those, I might suspect, and take th' alarm, Your bus'ness is but to inform; But if it be, 'tis ne'er the near, You have a wrong sow by the ear.— filed under Suspicion
With crosses, relics, crucifixes, Beads, pictures, rosaries, and pixes; The tools of working out salvation By mere mechanic operation.— filed under Symbols
But still his tongue ran on, the less Of weight it bore, with greater ease.— filed under Talk
With vollies of eternal babble.— filed under Talk
No Indian prince has to his palace More followers than a thief to the gallows. C.— filed under Thieving
For truth is precious and divine; Too rich a pearl for carnal swine.— filed under Truth
More proselytes and converts use t' accrue To false persuasions than the right and true; For error and mistake are infinite, But truth has but one way to be i' th' right.— filed under Truth
True as the dial to the sun, Although it be not shin'd upon.— filed under Truth
Who thought he 'ad won The field as certain as a gun.— filed under Victory
Bannockburn. Bloody wars at first began, The artificial plague of man, That from his own invention rise, To scourge his own iniquities.— filed under War
For those that fly may fight again, Which he can never do that's slain. S.— filed under War
For those that run away, and fly, Take place at least o' th' enemy.— filed under War
In all the trade of war, no feat Is nobler than a brave retreat.— filed under War
He that complies against his will, Is of his own opinion still, Which he may adhere to, yet disown, For reasons to himself best known.— filed under Will
So Noah, when he anchor'd safe on The mountain's top, his lofty haven, And all the passengers he bore Were on the new world set ashore, He made it next his chief design To plant and propagate a vine, Which since has overwhelm'd and drown'd Far greater numbers, on dry ground, Of wretched mankind, one by one, Than all the flood before had done.— filed under Wine And Spirits
Subsect. 3. Great wits and valours, like great states, Do sometimes sink with their own weights.— filed under Wit
We grant, although he had much wit, H' was very shy of using it, As being loth to wear it out, And therefore bore it not about; Unless on holy days or so, As men their best apparel do.— filed under Wit
The souls of women are so small, That some believe they've none at all; Or if they have, like cripples, still They've but one faculty, the will. C.— filed under Woman
He that will win his dame must do As love does when he draws his bow; With one hand thrust the lady from, And with the other pull her home.— filed under Wooing
She that with poetry is won, Is but a desk to write upon; And what men say of her they mean No more than on the thing they lean.— filed under Wooing
And still be doing, never done.— filed under Work
'Tis virtue, wit, and worth, and all That men divine and sacred call; For what is worth, in anything, But so much money as 't will bring?— filed under Worth
H' had got a hurt 0' th' inside of a deadlier sort.— filed under Wounds
For zeal's a dreadful termagant, That teaches saints to tear and cant.— filed under Buddha