Francis Quarles Quotes
English - Poet May 8, 1592 - September 8, 1644



Beware of him that is slow to anger; for when it is long coming, it is the stronger when it comes, and the longer kept. Abused patience turns to fury.
Francis Quarles

If thou desire the love of God and man, be humble, for the proud heart, as it loves none but itself, is beloved of none but itself. Humility enforces where neither virtue, nor strength, nor reason can prevail.
Francis Quarles

Flatter not thyself in thy faith in God if thou hast not charity for thy neighbor.
Francis Quarles

The heart is a small thing, but desireth great matters. It is not sufficient for a kite's dinner, yet the whole world is not sufficient for it.
Francis Quarles

Has fortune dealt you some bad cards. Then let wisdom make you a good gamester.
Francis Quarles

My mind's my kingdom.
Francis Quarles

Anger may repast with thee for an hour, but not repose for a night; the continuance of anger is hatred, the continuance of hatred turns malice.
Francis Quarles

The road to perseverance lies by doubt.
Francis Quarles

He that hath no cross deserves no crown.
Francis Quarles

Be wisely worldly, but not worldly wise.
Francis Quarles

That friendship will not continue to the end which is begun for an end.
Francis Quarles

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

Wickedness is its own punishment.
Francis Quarles

The average person's ear weighs what you are, not what you were.
Francis Quarles

No cross no crown.
Francis Quarles

Heaven finds an ear when sinners find a tongue.
Francis Quarles

Necessity of action takes away the fear of the act, and makes bold resolution the favorite of fortune.
Francis Quarles

Let the fear of danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger.
Francis Quarles

And he repents in thorns that sleeps in beds of roses.
Francis Quarles

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

The sufficiency of merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.
Francis Quarles

It is the lot of man but once to die.
Francis Quarles

Fear nothing but what thy industry may prevent; be confident of nothing but what fortune cannot defeat; it is no less folly to fear what is impossible to be avoided than to be secure when there is a possibility to be deprived.
Francis Quarles

Put off thy cares with thy clothes; so shall thy rest strengthen thy labor, and so thy labor sweeten thy rest.
Francis Quarles

Meditation is the life of the soul: Action, the soul of meditation; and honor the reward of action.
Francis Quarles

Wisdom not only gets, but once got, retains.
Francis Quarles

I wish thee as much pleasure in the reading, as I had in the writing.
Francis Quarles