Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Oliver Cromwell (British Head of State)

Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) was an English soldier and statesman. He served as the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland 1653–58 during the Republican Commonwealth.

Born in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, Cromwell received his education at Huntingdon Grammar School and Sydney Sussex College-Cambridge. Initially leading a quiet life as a landowner and Member of Parliament in 1628, he later emerged as a skilled military commander and a staunch Puritan amidst escalating tensions between Parliament and King Charles I during the English Civil War. Cromwell played a pivotal role in the Parliamentary victory over the Royalists, ultimately resulting in the execution of King Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth.

As the Lord Protector, Cromwell ruled with a firm hand, implementing various reforms and consolidating his power. He advocated for religious tolerance and emphasized civil liberties, although his authoritarian tendencies drew criticism. His military campaigns in Ireland and Scotland were marked by brutality, and he gained a reputation for suppressing dissent harshly.

Cromwell’s time as Lord Protector was a mix of achievements and controversies. He brought stability to England, modernized the army, and expanded the influence of the British Empire. However, his rule was also tarnished by religious repression and censorship. Following his death in 1658, his son Richard Cromwell succeeded him but failed to maintain his father’s control, leading to the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Cromwell’s body was exhumed from the tomb of kings in Westminster Abbey, later hung from Tyburn’s gallows, and finally buried there.

Notable biographies on Oliver Cromwell include Christopher Hill’s God’s Englishman: Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution (1970,) Antonia Fraser’s Cromwell: Our Chief of Men (1973,) and Cicely Veronica Wedgwood’s Oliver Cromwell (1973.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Oliver Cromwell

What are all histories but God manifesting himself, shaking down and trampling under foot whatsoever he hath not planted.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: History

I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Mistakes

What is all our histories, but God showing himself, shaking and trampling on everything that he has not planted.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: History, Historians

No man rises so high as he knows not whither he goes.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Ambition, Getting Ahead

He who stops being better stops being good.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Excellence, Good, Live, Better, Progress, Self-improvement

Subtlety may deceive you; integrity never will.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Deception, Deception/Lying, Integrity

No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Goals

He Oliver Cromwell in a furious manner, bid the Speaker leave his chair; told the house That they had sat long enough, unless they had done more good; and that it was not fit they should sit as a parliament any longer, and desired them to go away.
—Oliver Cromwell

Make the iron hot by striking it.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Action, Opportunity

Trust in God, but keep your powder dry.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Self-reliance

Mr. Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughnesses, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.
—Oliver Cromwell

The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Politics

Does a man speak foolishly?—suffer him gladly, for you are wise. Does he speak erroneously?—stop such a man’s mouth with sound words that cannot be gainsaid. Does he speak truly?—rejoice in the truth.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Talking

Necessity has no law.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Necessity

A few honest men are better than numbers.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Honesty

Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Trust, Praise

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 Gentle-man and is nothing else.
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Army, Navy, The Military

You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!
—Oliver Cromwell
Topics: Parliament

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