Let thy servants be such as thou mayest command, and entertain none about thee but those to whom thou givest wages; for those that will serve thee without thy hire will cost thee treble as much as they that know thy fare.
—Walter Raleigh (1552–1618) English Courtier, Navigator, Poet
We become willing servants to the good by the bonds their virtues lay upon us.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
I have been formerly so silly as to hope that every servant I had might be made a friend; but I am now convinced that the nature of servitude generally bears a contrary tendency.—People’s characters are to be chiefly collected from their education and place in life; birth itself does but little.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
Few men have been admired of their familiars.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his Lord.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Ladies and gentleman are permitted to have friends in the kennel, but not in the kitchen.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
For my own part, I had rather suffer any inconvenience from having to work occasionally in chambers and kitchen … than witness the subservience in which the menial class is held in Europe.
—Harriet Martineau (1802–76) English Sociologist, Economist, Philosopher, Essayist
Be not served with kinsmen, or friends, or men entreated to stay; for they expect much, and do little; nor with such as are amorous, for their heads are intoxicated; and keep rather too few, than one too many.
—William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1521–98) British Statesman, Advisor
We are beginning to wonder whether a servant girl hasn’t the best of it after all. She knows how the salad tastes without the dressing, and she knows how life’s lived before it gets to the parlor door.
—Djuna Barnes (1892–1982) American Writer, Artist
His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants hall.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
Man is the only animal which esteems itself rich in proportion to the number and voracity of its parasites.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
One of the most considerable advantages the great have over their inferiors is to have servants as good as themselves.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
The cook was a good cook, as cooks go; and as cooks go, she went.
—Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) (1870–1916) British Short Story Writer, Satirist, Historian
‘Tis better that thou be rather something sparing, than very liberal, to even a good servant; for as he grows full, he inclines either to be idle, or to leave thee: and if he should at any time murmur, thou mayest govern him by a seasonable reward.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
A good servant is a real godsend, but truly this is a rare bird in the land.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
Command thy servant advisably with few plain words, fully, freely, and positively, with a grave countenance, and settled carriage: These will procure obedience, gain respect, and maintain authority.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Men in great place are thrice servants; servants of the sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of business; so that they have no freedom, neither in their persons, in their actions, nor in their times.—It is a strange desire to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man’s self.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Reward a good servant well, and rather get quit of a bad one than disquiet thyself with him.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
If the master takes no account of his servants, they will make small account of him, and care not what they spend, as they are never brought to an audit.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
In the master there is a servant, in the servant a master.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The relation of master and servant is advantageous only to masters who do not scruple to abuse their authority, and to servants who do not scruple to abuse their trust.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Every great house is full of haughty servants.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
If thou employest plain men, and canst find such as are commonly honest, they will work faithfully, and report fairly. Cunning men will, for their own credit, adventure without command; and from thy business derive credit to themselves.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The highest panegyric, therefore, that private virtue can receive, is the praise of servants.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Be not too familiar with thy servants; at first it may beget love, but in the end ’twill breed contempt.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
If thou hast a loitering servant, send him of thy errand just before his dinner.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
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