King James I Quotes

The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth: for kings are not only God's Lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called Gods.

I will govern according to the common weal, but not according to the common will.

I can make a lord, but only God can make a gentleman.

When a man makes up his mind to thrash another, he must also make up his mind to be a little thrashed himself.

To make women learned and foxes tame has the same effect - to make them more cunning.

If I were not a king, I would be a university man; and if it were so that I must be a prisoner, if I might have my wish, I would desire to have no other prison than that library [the Bodleian].

Were I not a king, I would be a university man.

On tobacco: A branch of the sin of drunkenness, which is the root of all sins.

Herein is not only a great vanity, but a great contempt of God's good gifts, that the sweetness of man's breath, being a good gift of God, should be willfully corrupted by this stinking smoke.

It is atheism and blasphemy to dispute what God can do: good Christians content themselves with His will revealed in His Word.

It is one of God's blessings that we cannot foreknow the hour of our death; for a time fixed, even beyond the possibility of living, would trouble us more than doth this uncertainty.

That which we call wit consists much in quickness and tricks, and is so full of lightness that it seldom goes with judgment and solidity; but when they do meet, it is commonly in an honest man.

The wisest fool in Christendom.

Dr Donne's verses are like the peace of God; they pass all understanding.

God gives not kings the stile of Gods in vaine, For on his throne his sceptre do they sway; And as their subjects ought them to obey, So kings should feare and serve their God againe.