John Lyly Quotes

Rather fast then surfette, rather starue then striue to exceede.

He that loseth his honesty hath nothing else to lose.

The slothful are always ready to engage in idle talk of what will be done tomorrow, and every day after.

The finest edge is made with the blunt whetstone.

A comely olde man as busie as a bee.

Maydens, be they never so foolyshe, yet beeing fayre they are commonly fortunate.

It is good walking when one hath his horse in hand.

A clere conscience is a sure carde.

The bee that hath honey in her mouth hath a sting in her tail.

The broken bone, once set together, is stronger than ever.

To love women and never enjoy them, is as much to love wine and never taste it.

It is a world to see.

Long quaffing maketh a short lyfe.

Where the streame runneth smoothest, the water is deepest.

I thank you for nothing, because I understand nothing.

The sun shineth upon the dunghill, and is not corrupted.

The greatest harm that you can do unto the envious, is to do well.

Many strokes overthrow the tallest oaks.

As the best wine doth make the sharpest vinegar, so the deepest love turns to the deadliest hate.

The night has a thousand eyes.

As lyke as one pease is to another.

It is the disposition of the thought that altered the nature of the thing.

Where the mind is past hope, the heart is past shame.

Nothing so perilous as procrastination

Love knoweth no laws.

To give reason for fancy were to weigh the fire, and measure the wind.

Instruments sound sweetest when they are touched softest.

I have ever thought so superstitiously of wit, that I fear I have committed idolatry against wisdom.

Fish and guests in three days are stale.

In misery it is great comfort to have a companion.

He that comes in print because he would be known, is like the fool that comes into the market because he would be seen.

All men [are] of one metal, but not in one mold.

Though women have small force to overcome men by reason; yet have they good fortune to undermine them by policy.

Marriages are made in heaven and consummated on Earth.

The rattling thunderbolt hath but his clap, the lightning but his flash, and as they both come in a moment, so do they both end in a minute.

Whatsoever is in the heart of the sober man, is in the mouth of the drunkard.

In arguing of the shadow, we forgo the substance.

When adversities flow, then love ebbs; but friendship standeth stiffly in storms.

Far more seemly to have thy study full of books, than thy purse full of money.

Where the countenance is fair, there need no colors.

I am of this mind, that might and malice, deceit and treachery perjury and impiety may lawfully be committed in love; which is lawless.

When parents put gold into the hands of youth, when they should put a rod under their girdle--when instead of awe they make them past grace, and leave them rich executors of goods, and poor executors of godliness, then it is no marvel that the son being left rich by his father's will, becomes reckless by his own will.

There can no great smoke arise, but there must be some fire.

The soft droppes of rain perce the hard marble.

Do you think that any one can move the heart but He that made it?

Be valyaunt, but not too venturous. Let thy attyre bee comely, but not costly.

Lette me stande to the maine chance.

Children and fools speak true.