Oliver Cromwell Quotes

English military and political leader (1599–1658)

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Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman, soldier, and revolutionary responsible for the overthrow of the monarchy, temporarily turning England into a republican Commonwealth, and assuming rule as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. After he died his son Richard Cromwell took this position, until King Charles II was crowned king.

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Alternative Names: Cromwellian • Old Noll • Copper Nose • Lord Protector • Head of the Protectorate • Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England • Noll Cromwell • Olliver Cromwell • Olyver Cromwell

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The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions; if they be willing faithfully to serve it – that satisfies. I advised you formerly to bear with men of different minds from yourself:

Consider That Ye May Be Wrong.

Your pretended fear lest error should step in, is like the man who would keep all wine out of the country, lest men should be drunk. It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon a supposition he may abuse it. When he doth abuse it, judge.

You are as like the forming of God as ever people were... you are at the edge of promises and prophecies.

Do not trust to the cheering, for those very persons would shout as much if you and I were going to be hanged.

Subtlety may deceive you; intedrity never will.

Being comes before well-being.

When I went there, I did not think to have done this. But perceiving the spirit of God so strong upon me, I would not consult flesh and blood.

We are Englishmen; that is one good fact.

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 gentleman and is nothing else.

Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imagined necessities... are the greatest cozenage that men can put upon the Providence of God, and make pretenses to break known rules by.

Weeds and nettles, briars and thorns, have thriven under your shadow, dissettlement and division, discontentment and dissatisfaction, together with real dangers to the whole.

You have accounted yourselves happy on being environed with a great ditch from all the world beside.

This is a righteous judgement of God upon these barbarous wretches, who have imbrued their hands in so much innocent blood.

It's a blessed thing to die daily. For what is there in this world to be accounted of! The best men according to the flesh, and things, are lighter than vanity. I find this only good, to love the Lord and his poor despised people, to do for them and to be ready to suffer with them....and he that is found worthy of this hath obtained great favour from the Lord; and he that is established in this shall ( being conformed to Christ and the rest of the Body) participate in the glory of a resurrection which will answer all.