Philip Sidney Quotes

Have I caught my heav'nly jewel.

Who shoots at the mid-day sun, though he be sure he shall never hit the mark, yet as sure he is he shall shoot higher than who aims but at a bush.

In the sweetly constituted mind of Sir Philip Sidney, it seems as if no ugly thought or unhandsome meditation could find a harbour. He turned all that he touched into images of honour and virtue.

They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.

Stella, think not that I by verse seek fame,
Who seek, who hope, who love, who live but thee;
Thine eyes my pride, thy lips mine history:
If thou praise not, all other praise is shame.

As in geometry, the oblique must be known, as well as the right; and in arithmetic, the odd as well as the even; so in actions of life, who seeth not the filthiness of evil, wanteth a great foil to perceive the beauty of virtue.

My true love hath my heart, and I have his,
By just exchange, one for the other given.

There have been many most excellent poets that never versified, and now swarm many versifiers that need never answer to the name of poets.

The poet...nothing affirmeth, and therefore never lieth.