Algernon Sidney. 1622-1683. John Bartlett, comp. 1919. Familiar Quotations, 10th ed.

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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Algernon Sidney. (1622–1683)

Manus haec inimica tyrannis
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem. 1

From the Life and Memoirs of Algernon Sidney.

Liars ought to have good memories. 2

Discourses on Government. Chap. ii. Sect. xv.

Men lived like fishes; the great ones devoured the small. 3

Discourses on Government. Chap. ii. Sect. xviii.

God helps those who help themselves. 4

Discourses on Government. Chap. ii. Sect. xxiii.

It is not necessary to light a candle to the sun. 5

Discourses on Government. Chap. ii. Sect. xxiii.

Note 1.
His father writes to him, Aug. 30, 1660: “It is said that the University of Copenhagen brought their album unto you, desiring you to write something; and that you did scribere in albo these words.” It is said that the first line is to be found in a patent granted in 1616 by Camden (Clarencieux).—Notes and Queries, March 10, 1866. [back]

Note 2.
He who has not a good memory should never take upon him the trade of lying.—Montaigne: Book i. chap. ix. Of Liars. [back]

Note 3.
See Shakespeare, Pericles, Quotation 2. [back]

Note 4.
See Herbert, Quotation 28.

Heaven ne’er helps the men who will not act.—Sophocles: Fragment 288 (Plumptre’s Translation).

Help thyself, Heaven will help thee.—J. de La Fontaine: Book vi. fable 18. [back]

Note 5.
Like his that lights a candle to the sun.—John Fletcher: Letter to Sir Walter Aston.

And hold their farthing candle to the sun.—Edward Young: Satire vii. line 56. [back]

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