Owen Feltham was an English writer, author of a book entitled Resolves, Divine, Moral, and Political, containing 146 short essays. It had great popularity in its day. Feltham was for a time in the household of the Earl of Thomond as chaplain or sec., and published, Brief Character of the Low Countries. His most cited essay is “How the Distempers of these Times should affect wise Men” which was selected for inclusion in John Gross’ The Oxford Book of Essays, a compilation of over a hundred of the finest essays in the English language.
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To trust God when we have securities in our iron chest is easy, but not thankworthy; but to depend on him for what we cannot see, as it is more hard for man to do, so it is more acceptable to God.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Trust
This wonder we find in hope, that she is both a flatterer and a true friend. — How many would die did not hope sustain them; how many have died by hoping too much!
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Hope
Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Prayer
Meditation is the soul’s perspective glass, whereby, in her long removes, she discerneth God, as if he were nearer at hand.
—Owen Feltham
Men are like wine; not good before the lees of clownishness be settled.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Manners
Zeal without humanity is like a ship without a rudder, liable to be stranded at any moment.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Enthusiasm, Humanity
He who always waits upon God, is ready whensoever he calls. — He is a happy man who so lives that death at all times may find him at leisure to die.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Death
Some are so uncharitable as to think all women bad, and others are so credulous as to believe they are all good. All will grant her corporeal frame more wonderful and more beautiful than man’s. And can we think God would put a worse soul into her better body?
—Owen Feltham
Laws were made to restrain and punish the wicked; the wise and good do not need them as a guide, but only as a shield against rapine and oppression; they can live civilly and orderly, though there were no law in the world.
—Owen Feltham
He who would be singular in his apparel had need have something superlative to balance that affectation.
—Owen Feltham
Riches, though they may reward virtue, cannot cause it. — He is much more noble who deserves a benefit than he who bestows one.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Riches
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