It is plain there is not in nature a point of stability to be found; everything either ascends or declines; when wars are ended abroad, sedition begins at home; and when men are freed from fighting for necessity, they quarrel through ambition.
Walter RaleighAll histories do show, and wise politicians do hold it necessary that, for the well-governing of every Commonweal, it behoveth man to presuppose that all men are evil, and will declare themselves so to be when occasion is offered.
Walter RaleighSilence in love betrays more woe - Than words though ne'er so witty; A beggar that is dumb, you know, may challenge double pity.
Walter RaleighThere is nothing more becoming any wise man, than to make choice of friends, for by them thou shalt be judged what thou art: let them therefore be wise and virtuous, and none of those that follow thee for gain; but make election rather of thy betters, than thy inferiors.
Walter RaleighIt is observed in the course of worldly things, that men's fortunes are oftener made by their tongues than by their virtues; and more men's fortunes overthrown thereby than by vices.
Walter RaleighIt would be an unspeakable advantage, both to the public and private, if men would consider that great truth, that no man is wise or safe but he that is honest.
Walter RaleighNo one can take less pains than to hold his tongue. Hear much, and speak little; for the tongue is the instrument of the greatest good and greatest evil that is done in the world.
Walter RaleighOh, doughty sons of Hungary! May all success Attend and bless Your warlike ironmongery!
Walter RaleighThe world is itself but a larger prison, out of which some are daily selected for execution.
Walter RaleighWhoever commands the sea, commands the trade; whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently the world itself.
Walter RaleighWhoso desireth to govern well and securely, it behoveth him to have a vigilant eye to the proceedings of great princes, and to consider seriously of their designs.
Walter RaleighOur immortal souls, while righteous, are by God himself beautified with the title of his own image and similitude.
Walter RaleighThe flowers do fade, and wanton fields To wayward winter reckoning yields; A honey tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall.
Walter RaleighBut it is hard to know them from friends, they are so obsequious and full of protestations; for a wolf resembles a dog, so doth a flatterer a friend.
Walter RaleighThe necessity of war, which among human actions is the most lawless, hath some kind of affinity with the necessity of law.
Walter RaleighIn a word, we may gather out of History a policy no less wise than I eternal; by the comparison and application of other mens fore-passed miseries with our own like errours and ill-deservings.
Walter RaleighDeath, which hateth and destroyeth a man, is believed; God, which hath made him and loves him, is always deferred.
Walter RaleighEven such isTime, which takes in trust Our youth, our joys, and all we have, And pays us but with age and dust, Who in the dark and silent grave When we have wandered all our ways Shuts up the story of our days, And from which earth, and grave, and dust The Lord shall raise me up, I trust.
Walter RaleighRemember, that if thou marry for beauty, thou bindest thyself all thy life for that which, perchance, will never last nor please thee one year; and when thou hast it, it will be to thee of no price at all.
Walter RaleighFlatterers are the worst kind of traitors, for they will strengthen thy imperfections, encourage thee in all evils, correct thee in nothing, but so shadow and paint thy follies and vices as thou shalt never, by their will, discover good from evil, or vice from virtue.
Walter RaleighA man must first govern himself ere he is fit to govern a family; and his family ere he be fit to bear the government of the commonwealth.
Walter RaleighO eloquent, just, and mighty Death! whom none could advise, thou hast persuaded; what none hath dared, thou hast done; and whom all the world hath flattered, thou only hath cast out of the world and despised. Thou hast drawn together all the far-stretched greatness, all the pride, cruelty, and ambition of man, and covered it all over with these two narrow words, Hic jacet!
Walter RaleighAbove all things, be not made an ass to carry the burdens of other men if any friend desire thee to be his surety, give him a part of what thou has to spare if he presses thee further, he is not thy friend at all.
Walter RaleighThe first draught serveth for health, the second for pleasure, the third for shame, the fourth for madness.
Walter Raleigh[It is a basic principle of a tyrant] to unarm his people of weapons, money and all means whereby they resist his power.
Walter RaleighBut true love is a durable fire, In the mind ever burning, Never sick, never old, never dead, From itself never turning.
Walter Raleigh