Oliver Cromwell Quotes

I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.

Royalty is but a feather in a man's cap; let children enjoy their rattle.

Work hard, trust in God, and keep your bowels open.

Necessity has no law.

If any man whatsoever hath carried on the design of deposing the King and disinheriting his posterity; or if any man hath yet such a design he should be the greatest traitor and rebel in the world; but, since the Providence of God hath cast this upon us, I cannot but submit to Providence.

Mr. Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughnesses, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.

Your pretended fear lest error should step in, is like the man that would keep all the wine out of the country lest men should be drunk. It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy, to deny a man the liberty he hath by nature upon a supposition that he may abuse it.

I have learned that if you fear God, you have no one else to fear.

My prayer is that God give me no longer life than I shall be glad to use mine office in edification, and not in destruction.

For that which you mention concerning liberty of conscience, I meddle not with any man's conscience.

I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentle-man and is nothing else.

THE PEOPLE WOULD BE JUST AS NOISY IF THEY WERE GOING TO SEE ME HANGED.

A man-of-war is the best ambassador.

Some people have food, but no appetite; others have an appetite, but no food. I have both. The Lord be praised.

No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going. Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.

He who stops being better stops being good.

Subtlety may deceive you; integrity never will.

Does a man speak foolishly?--suffer him gladly, for you are wise. Does he speak erroneously?--stop such a man's mouth with sound words that cannot be gainsaid. Does he speak truly?--rejoice in the truth.

Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.

WEEDS AND NETTLES, BRIARS AND THORNS, HAVE THRIVEN UNDER YOUR SHADOW, DISSETTLEMENT AND DIVISION, DISCONTENTMENT AND DISSATISFACTION, TOGETHER WITH REAL DANGERS TO THE WHOLE.

I would have been glad to have lived under my wood side, and to have kept a flock of sheep, rather than to have undertaken this government.

In return for financial support will advocate admission of Jews to England; This however impossible while Charles living. Charles cannot be executed without trial on adequate grounds for which do not presently exist. Therefore advise that Charles be assassinated, but will have nothing to do with arrangements for procuring an assassin, though willing to help in his escape. [King Charles I was in prison at the time].

Sir, what can be said of these things? Is it the arm of the flesh that hath done these things? Is it the wisdom and counsel, or strength of man? It is the Lord only. God will curse that man and his house that dares to think otherwise. Sir, you see the work is done by a Divine leading. God gets into the hearts of men, and persuades them to come under you.

Catholicism is more than a religion, it is a political power. Therefore I'm led to believe there will be no peace in Ireland until the Catholic Church is crushed

No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going.

Our swords are in God's hands, And our faith is in the Lord. Charge!

A few honest men are better than numbers.

Make the iron hot by striking it.

Who can love to walk in the dark? But providence doth often so dispose.

What is all our histories, but God showing himself, shaking and trampling on everything that he has not planted.

There isn't a tree to hang a man, water to drown a man nor soil to bury a man

I was by birth a gentleman, living neither in any considerable height nor yet in obscurity.

Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imaginary necessities, are the greatest cozenage men can put upon the Providence of God, and make pretences to break known rules by.

He who ceases to be better, ceases to be good.

I have not the particular shining bauble or feather in my cap for crowds to gaze at or kneel to, but I have power and resolution for foes to tremble at.

You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!

It's a blessed thing to die daily. For what is there in this world to be accounted of! The best men according to the flesh, and things, are lighter than vanity. I find this only good, to love the Lord and his poor despised people, to do for them and to be ready to suffer with them....and he that is found worthy of this hath obtained great favour from the Lord; and he that is established in this shall ( being conformed to Christ and the rest of the Body) participate in the glory of a resurrection which will answer all.

Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.

Ye may have skill in the nature of things, yet nature can do more than all physicians put together; and God is far more above nature.

The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.

On becoming soldiers we have not ceased to be citizens.

Because I fear God, I have no man to fear.

Those who stop being better stop being good.