Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Thomas Fuller Author

  • Gender: Male
  • Born: 1608
  • Died: Aug 16, 1661

Thomas Fuller was an English churchman and historian. He is now remembered for his writings, particularly his Worthies of England, published after his death. He was a prolific author, and one of the first English writers able to live by his pen.

Travel makes a wise man better, and a fool worse.

A good garden may have some weeds.

Change of weather is the discourse of fools.

He that hopes no good fears no ill.

If thou art a master, be sometimes blind if a servant, sometimes deaf.

Better be alone than in bad company.

There is nothing that so much gratifies an ill tongue as when it finds an angry heart.

If an ass goes travelling he will not come home a horse.

A man's best fortune, or his worst, is his wife.

An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men.

Be the business never so painful, you may have it done for money.

Anger is one of the sinews of the soul.

The more wit the less courage.

Cruelty is a tyrant that's always attended with fear.

There is more pleasure in loving than in being beloved.

Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.

Scalded cats fear even cold water.

Great hopes make great men.

If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.

He that has a great nose, thinks everybody is speaking of it.

An ounce of cheerfulness is worth a pound of sadness to serve God with.

Unseasonable kindness gets no thanks.

There is a scarcity of friendship, but not of friends.

Music is nothing else but wild sounds civilized into time and tune.

Health is not valued till sickness comes.

Don't let your will roar when your power only whispers.

In fair weather prepare for foul.

Learning hath gained most by those books by which the printers have lost.

If you command wisely, you'll be obeyed cheerfully.

It is madness for sheep to talk peace with a wolf.

Despair gives courage to a coward.

If you have one true friend you have more than your share.

A gift, with a kind countenance, is a double present.

Abused patience turns to fury.

One may miss the mark by aiming too high as too low.

'Tis skill, not strength, that governs a ship.

A drinker has a hole under his nose that all his money runs into.

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

All things are difficult before they are easy.

He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself for every man has need to be forgiven.

Charity begins at home, but should not end there.

Wine hath drowned more men than the sea.

Though bachelors be the strongest stakes, married men are the best binders, in the hedge of the commonwealth.

Great is the difference betwixt a man's being frightened at, and humbled for his sins.

All commend patience, but none can endure to suffer.