I'll ne'er distrust my God for cloth and bread while lilies flourish and the raven 's fed.
Francis QuarlesNo labor is hard, no time is long, wherein the glory of eternity is the mark we level at.
Francis QuarlesFlatter not thyself in thy faith to God, if thou wantest charity for thy neighbor; and think not thou halt charity for thy neighbor, if thou wantest faith to God; where they are not both together, they are both wanting; they are both dead, if once divided.
Francis QuarlesSweet tastes have sour closes; and he repents on thorns that sleeps in beds of roses.
Francis QuarlesDeliberate long before thou consecrate a friend, and when thy impartial justice concludes him worthy of thy bosom, receive him joyfully, and entertain him wisely; impart thy secrets boldly, and mingle thy thoughts with his: he is thy very self; and use him so; if thou firmly think him faithful, thou makest him so.
Francis QuarlesDemean thyself more warily in thy study than in the street. If thy public actions have a hundred witnesses, thy private have a thousand. The multitude looks but upon thy actions; thy conscience looks into them: the multitude may chance to excuse thee, if not acquit thee; thy conscience will accuse thee, if not condemn thee.
Francis Quarles