Top 15 Samuel Pepys Quotes

English diarist and administrator (1633–1703)

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Samuel Pepys (February 23 1633 – May 26 1703) was an English naval administrator, Member of Parliament and Fellow of the Royal Society, but is now best remembered for the diary which he kept through the 1660s. It was first published in 1825, and has ever since been considered a unique historical source and human document.

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Alternative Names: Pepys

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Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.

The truth is, I do indulge myself a little the more in pleasure, knowing that this is the proper age of my life to do it; and, out of my observation that most men that do thrive in the world do forget to take pleasure during the time that they are getting their estate, but reserve that till they have got one, and then it is too late for them to enjoy it.

The Diary of Samuel Pepys · April 29, 2003 Verified in 2 sources · 1 more available Sign up to see the complete provenance

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He that will not stoop for a pin will never be worth a pound.

And so to bed.

A fish kept in a glass of water will live forever

Strange, to see what delight we married people have to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition, every man and wife gazing and smiling at them.

God forgive me, I was sorry to hear that Sir W Pens maid Betty was gone away yesterday, for I was in hopes to have had a bout with her before she had gone, she being very pretty. I have also a mind to my own wench, but I dare not, for fear she should prove honest and refuse and then tell my wife.

Great talk among people how some of the Fanatiques do say that the end of the world is at hand, and that next Tuesday is to be the day. Against which, whenever it shall be, good God fit us all!

I find it a hard matter to settle to business after so much leisure and pleasure.

Now public business takes up so much of my time that I must get time a Sundays or a nights to look after my own matters.

I saw the girl of the house, being very pretty, go into a chamber, and I went in after her and kissed her.

I was mightily troubled with a looseness, and feeling for a chamber-pott, there was none, I having called the maid up out of her bed, she had forgot I suppose to put one there; so I was forced in this strange house to rise and shit in the chimney twice.

I do find myself to become more and more thoughtful about getting of money than ever heretofore.

It is strange what weather we have had all this winter; no cold at all; but the ways are dusty, and the flyes fly up and down, and the rose-bushes are full of leaves, such a time of the year as was never known in this world before here.

neighbour of ours, Mr. Hollworthy, a very able man, is also dead by a fall in the country from his horse, his foot hanging in the stirrup, and his brains beat out.