1640s

I will devote myself sincerely and without reservation to the general demolition of my opinions.

Rene Descartes

Meditations on First Philosophy · 1641

★ 6.3

Scientific literature

Yet I doe seriously, and upon good grounds, affirme it possible to make a flying Chariot. In which a man may sit, and give such a motion unto it, as shall convey him through the aire. And this perhaps might bee made large enough to carry divers men at the same time, together with foode for their viaticum, and commodities for traffique. It is not the bignesse of any thing in this kind, that can hinder its motion, if the motive faculty be answerable thereunto. We see a great ship swimmes as well as a small corke, and an Eagle flies in the aire as well as a little gnat... So that notwithstanding all these seeming impossibilities, 'tis likely enough, that there may be a meanes invented of journying to the Moone; And how happy shall they be, that are first successfull in this attempt?

John Wilkins

A Discourse Concerning a New World and Another Planet · 1640

★ 6.0

I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees her adversary but slinks out of the race, where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat.

Truth…never comes into the world, but like a bastard, to the ignominy of him that brought her forth.

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 5.3

1643

★ 4.5

I could not possibly exist with the nature I actually have, that is, one endowed with the idea of God, unless there really is a God; the very God, I mean, of whom I have an idea.

Rene Descartes

Meditations on First Philosophy · 1641

★ 3.7

Books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul was whose progeny they are.

None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license.

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 3.7

Pamphlet · Political literature

No man who knows aught, can be so stupid to deny that all men naturally were born free.

The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates · 1649

★ 3.7

Pamphlet · Political literature

He that lies with the dogs, riseth with fleas.

1649

★ 3.7

George Herbert

Jacula Prudentum · 1640

★ 3.6

There is no road or ready way to vertue.

Religio Medici · 1643

★ 3.6

Obstinacy in a bad cause, is but constancy in a good.

1643

★ 3.6

Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, many opinions; for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 3.6

Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do injuriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength. Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew the Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 3.6

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see You haste away so soon.

Robert Herrick

1648

★ 3.6

Essay · Travel writing

Know most of the rooms of thy native country before thou goest over the threshold thereof.

Thomas Fuller (churchman)

1642

★ 3.5

Thou art my way; I wander, if thou fly; Thou art my light; if hid, how blind am I! Thou art my life; if thou withdraw, I die.

Francis Quarles

1643

★ 3.5

But how shall we expect charity towards others, when we are uncharitable to our selves?

1643

★ 3.5

There is surely a peece of Divinity in us, something that was before the Elements, and owes no homage unto the Sun.

1643

★ 3.5

A man may be in as just possession of Truth as of a City, and yet bee forced to surrender.

1643

★ 3.5

I would be married, but I'de have no Wife, I would be married to a single Life.

Richard Crashaw

1646

★ 3.5

Then be not coy, but use your time; And while ye may, go marry For having lost but once your prime, You may forever tarry.

Robert Herrick

1648

★ 3.5

I could never divide my selfe from any man upon the difference of an opinion, or be angry with his judgement for not agreeing with mee in that, from which perhaps within a few dayes I should dissent my selfe.

The Lord showed me, so that I did see clearly, that he did not dwell in these temples which men had commanded and set up, but in people's hearts... His people were his temple, and he dwelt in them.

Religio Medici · 1643

★ 3.5

Personal journal

George Fox

1646

★ 3.5

Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage; Minds innocent and quiet take That for an hermitage. If I have freedom in my love, And in my soul am free; Angels alone, that soar above, Enjoy such liberty.

Richard Lovelace

To Althea, From Prison · 1649

★ 3.5

Man to Man is an arrant wolf.

Thomas Hobbes

1642

★ 2.1

Here the great art lies, to discern in what the law is to bid restraint and punishment, and in what things persuasion only is to work.

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 2.1

Time, the subtle thief of youth.

If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this.

1645

★ 2.1

Amir Khusrau

1648

★ 2.1

If we think to regulate printing, thereby to rectify manners, we must regulate all recreations and pastimes, all that is delightful to man... And who shall silence all the airs and madrigals, that whisper softness in chambers?

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 2.0

It is contrary to reason to say that there is a vacuum or space in which there is absolutely nothing.

Rene Descartes

Principles of Philosophy · 1644

★ 2.0

Play · Tragedy (play)

Do your duty, and leave the outcome to the Gods.

Pierre Corneille

1640

★ 1.9

Tis not the meat, but 'tis the appetite Makes eating a delight.

Sir John Suckling

Fragmenta Aurea · 1641

★ 1.9

All things are artificiall, for nature is the Art of God.

He that is not handsome at twenty, nor strong at thirty, nor rich at forty, nor wise at fifty, will never be handsome, strong, rich, or wise.

1643

★ 1.9

George Herbert

Jacula Prudentum · 1640

★ 1.9

Or love me less, or love me more And play not with my liberty; Either take all, or all restore, Bind me at least, or set me free.

Sidney Godolphin

1643

★ 1.9

The world's a scene of changes, and to be Constant, in Nature were inconstancy.

Abraham Cowley

1647

★ 1.9

Personal journal

I saw also that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness.

George Fox

1647

★ 1.9

Essay · Travel writing

Deceive not thyself by overexpecting happiness in the married estate... Remember the nightingales which sing only some months in the spring, but commonly are silent when they have hatched their eggs.

Thomas Fuller (churchman)

The Holy State and the Profane State · 1642

★ 1.8

Behold now this vast city: a city of refuge, the mansion house of liberty.

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 1.3

Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.

Light (God's eldest daughter), is a principal beauty in a building.

Areopagitica · 1644

★ 1.2

Essay · Travel writing

Thomas Fuller (churchman)

The Holy State and the Profane State · 1642

★ 1.1

Persecution is a bad and indirect way to plant Religion.