Make the iron hot by striking it.
Mr. Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughnesses, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.
No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going. Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.
Royalty is but a feather in a man’s cap; let children enjoy their rattle.
I would have been glad to have lived under my wood side, and to have kept a flock of sheep, rather than to have undertaken this government.
No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going.
Men have been led in dark paths, through the providence and dispensation of God. Why, surely it is not to be objected to a man, for who can love to walk in the dark? But providence doth often so dispose.
A man never rises higher than when he does not know whither his path can still lead him.
I was by birth a gentleman, living neither in any considerable height nor yet in obscurity.
Who can love to walk in the dark? But providence doth often so dispose.
Paint me as I am. If you leave out the scars and wrinkles, I will not pay you a shilling.
On becoming soldiers we have not ceased to be citizens.
My prayer is that God give me no longer life than I shall be glad to use mine office in edification, and not in destruction.
Our swords are in God’s hands, And our faith is in the Lord. Charge!
Opportunity is sometimes hard to recognize if you’re only looking for a lucky break.
I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentle-man and is nothing else.
My desire is to make what haste I can to be gone.
Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imaginary necessities, are the greatest cozenage men can put upon the Providence of God, and make pretences to break known rules by.
That which brought me into the capacity I now stand in, was the Petition and Advice given me by you, who, in reference to the ancient Constitution, did draw me here to accept the place of Protector. There is not a man living can say I sought it, no not a man, nor woman, treading upon English ground.
Some people have food, but no appetite; others have an appetite, but no food. I have both. The Lord be praised.
A man never goes so far as when he does not know whither he is going.