The general goodness, which is nourished in noble hearts makes every one think that strength of virtue to be in another whereof they find assured foundation in themselves.
Philip SidneyFearfulness, contrary to all other vices, maketh a man think the better of another, the worse of himself.
Philip SidneyTake thou of me, sweet pillowes, sweetest bed; A chamber deafe of noise, and blind of light, A rosie garland and a weary hed.
Philip SidneyAs in labor, the more one doth exercise, the more one is enabled to do, strength growing upon work; so with the use of suffering, men's minds get the habit of suffering, and all fears and terrors are not to them but as a summons to battle, whereof they know beforehand they shall come off victorious.
Philip SidneyUnlawful desires are punished after the effect of enjoying; but impossible desires are punished in the desire itself.
Philip SidneyTruth is the ground of science, the centre wherein all things repose, and is the type of eternity.
Philip SidneyAs the fertilest ground, must be manured, so must the highest flying wit have a Daedalus to guide him.
Philip SidneyThe truly great and good, in affliction, bear a countenance more princely than they are wont; for it is the temper of the highest hearts, like the palm-tree, to strive most upwards when it is most burdened.
Philip SidneyThere is nothing evil but what is within us; the rest is either natural or accidental.
Philip SidneyThe many-headed multitude, whom inconstancy only doth by accident guide to well-doing! Who can set confidence there, where company takes away shame, and each may lay the fault upon his fellow?
Philip SidneyWith a tale, forsooth, he cometh unto you; with a tale which holdeth children from play, and old men from the chimney corner.
Philip SidneyThe lightsome countenance of a friend giveth such an inward decking to the house where it lodgeth, as proudest palaces have cause to envy the gilding.
Philip SidneyConfidence in one's self is the chief nurse of magnanimity, which confidence, notwithstanding, doth not leave the care of necessary furniture for it; and therefore, of all the Grecians, Homer doth ever make Achilles the best armed.
Philip SidneyIt is a lively spark of nobleness to descend in most favour to one when he is lowest in affliction
Philip SidneyAmbition, like love, can abide no lingering; and ever urgeth on his own successes, hating nothing but what may stop them.
Philip SidneyTo be ambitious of true honor and of the real glory and perfection of our nature is the very principle and incentive of virtue; but to be ambitious of titles, place, ceremonial respects, and civil pageantry, is as vain and little as the things are which we court
Philip SidneyMen are almost always cruel in their neighbors' faults; and make others' overthrow the badge of their own ill-masked virtue.
Philip SidneyThe observances of the church concerning feasts and fasts are tolerably well kept, since the rich keep the feasts and the poor the fasts.
Philip SidneyIt is manifest that all government of action is to be gotten by knowledge, and knowledge best, by gathering many knowledges, which is reading.
Philip SidneyGod has appointed us captains of this our bodily fort, which, without treason to that majesty, are never to be delivered over till they are demanded.
Philip SidneyThere needs not strength to be added to inviolate chastity; the excellency of the mind makes the body impregnable.
Philip SidneyWho will ever give counsel, if the counsel be judged by the event, and if it be not found wise, shall therefore be thought wicked?
Philip SidneyTo the disgrace of men it is seen that there are women both more wise to judge what evil is expected, and more constant to bear it when it happens.
Philip SidneyIt is hard, but it is excellent, to find the right knowledge of when correction is necessary and when grace doth most avail.
Philip SidneySince bodily strength is but a servant to the mind, it were very barbarous and preposterous that force should be made judge over reason.
Philip SidneyCourage ought to be guided by skill, and skill armed by courage. Neither should hardiness darken wit, nor wit cool hardiness. Be valiant as men despising death, but confident as unwonted to be overcome.
Philip Sidney