John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Here lies our sovereign lord the king, Nor ever does a wise one.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Love, the most generous passion of the mind The softest refuge innocence can find

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

When my young master's worship comes to town, A cousin of his own to be his bride…

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Were I, who to my Cost already am Who is so proud of being Rational.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Reason, an Ignis fatuus of the Mind, Which leaves the light of Nature, Sense, behind.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Whilst the misguided Follower climbs with Pain, To swim with Bladders of Philosophy.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Then Old Age, and Experience, hand in hand, That all his Life he has been in the wrong.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

For Wits are treated just like Common Whores; First they're enjoy'd, and then kickt out of Doors.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

For all Men would be Cowards if they durst: And Honesty’s against all common Sense.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Most Men are Cowards, all Men should be Knaves. Not in the thing it self, but the Degree.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

The world appears like a great family, Is fain to starve the numerous train below.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Dead we become the lumber of the world.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

It is a good world to live in, It is the very worst world that ever was known.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

A merry monarch, scandalous and poor.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

For pointed satire I would Buckhurst choose, The best good man with the worst-natured muse.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Angels listen when she speaks: Should we live one day asunder.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Then talk not of Inconstancy, ‘Tis all that Heav’n allows.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

So, when my Days of Impotence approach, From whose Broad-sides Volleys of Wit shall rain.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Thus, Statesman-like, I’ll saucily impose, And, being good for nothing else, be Wise.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

See the kind seed-receiving earth And be the mistress of Mankind!

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Lest, once more wandering from that heaven, And lose my everlasting rest.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

On thy wither’d lips and dry, Ancient Person of my Heart.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Naked she lay, clasped in my longing arms, With arms, legs, lips close clinging to embrace.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Thou treacherous, base deserter of my flame, So true to lewdness, so untrue to love?

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

But oh, how slowly minutes roll It languishes and dies.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

The clog of all pleasure, the luggage of life, Is the best can be said for a very good wife.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Great Negative, how vainly would the Wise That perfect, or destroy, the vast Designs of Fate.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

The Elephant is never won with Anger, Take him by the teeth.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

We have a pretty witty king, Nor ever did a wise one.

— John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester