William Drummond Quotations

He who will not reason, is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and he who dares not is a slave.

Put a bridle on thy tongue; set a guard before thy lips, lest the words of thine own mouth destroy thy peace... on much speaking cometh repentance, but in silence is safety.

He who dares not (reason), is a slave.

As we had no part of our will on our entrance into this life, we should not presume to any on our leaving it, but soberly learn to will which He wills.

I study myself more than any other subject; it is my metaphysic, and my physic.

Study what thou art Whereof thou art a part What thou knowest of this art This is really what thou art. All that is without thee also is within.

Of this fair volume which we world do name / If we the sheets and leaves could turn with care.

The last and greatest herald of Heaven's King, / Girt with rough skins, hies to the deserts wild.

He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave

My thoughts hold mortal strife, I do detest my life, And with lamenting cries, Peace to my soul to bring, Oft calls that prince which here doth monarchize; But he, grim-grinning king, Who caitiffs scorns and doth the blest surprise, Late having deck'd with beauty's rose his tomb, Disdains to crop a weed, and will not come.

Thrice happy he, who by some shady grove, Far from the clamorous world; doth live his own; Though solitary, who is not alone, But doth converse with that eternal love.

Sleep, Silence's child, sweet father of soft rest, Prince whose approach peace to all mortals brings Indifferent host to shepherds and kings Sole comforter to minds with grief oppressed.

What sweet delight a quiet life affords.

So that my life be brave, what though not long?

Books have that strange quality, that being of the frailest and tenderest matter, they outlast brass, iron and marble.