55+ Oliver Cromwell Quotes From The English General

Oliver Cromwell was an English general, politician, and statesman in 17th century England.

Cromwell was best known as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His rule of the British isles lasted for a period of five years, from 1653 to 1658, ending with his death.

True to his forceful character, Oliver Cromwell led parliamentary forces to overthrow King Charles I and subsequently execute him and establish a republican government. His Puritan mindset continued to influence his personal as well as political state of mind throughout his life.

He led the British parliamentary forces in the English Civil Wars. With the establishment of the republican Commonwealth, Cromwell re-established England as a leading European power.

He fought many battles during his military career as a commander including the Battle of Marston Moor, Battle of Gainsborough, and Naseby among others. He was a champion of the common people and fought vehemently against corruption.

We have compiled the best of Oliver Cromwell quotes to imbue you with his indomitable spirit. You could also take a look at quotations about England and battle speeches quotes.

If you enjoy this article, be sure to check out similar articles that you'll like revolution quotes and Robespierre quotes.

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Best Oliver Cromwell Quotes

Oliver Cromwell was one of the best leaders in European history. Check out this list of the quotes we have put together for you.

1. "Truly England and the church of God hath had a great favour from the lord, in this great victory given us."

-Oliver Cromwell, on Battle of Marston Moor.

2."A few honest men are better than numbers."

-Oliver Cromwell, letter to Sir William Spring, September 1643.

3. "No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going."

-Oliver Cromwell.

4. "This is a righteous judgement of God upon these barbarous wretches, who have imbrued their hands in so much innocent blood…."

-Oliver Cromwell.

5. "Since providence and necessity has cast them upon it, he should pray God to bless their councels"

-Oliver Cromwell.

6. "Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry."

-Oliver Cromwell.

7. "Take away that fool’s bauble, the mace"

-Oliver Cromwell, Speech dismissing the rump Parliament.

8. "that Parliaments should not make themselves perpetual is a fundamental."

-Oliver Cromwell, Speech to the First Protectorate Parliament.

9. "It is not my design to drink or to sleep, but my design is to make what haste I can to be gone"

-Oliver Cromwell.

10."Necessity hath no law."

-Oliver Cromwell.

11. "Cruel necessity"

-Oliver Cromwell, On execution of King Charles I.

12. "He who stops being better stops being good."

-Oliver Cromwell.

13. "We are Englishmen; that is one good fact"

-Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell Quotes About Ireland

Here is a list of Oliver Cromwell quotes on the wars he fought in Ireland.

14. "In the heat of action, I forbade them to spare any that were in arms in the town"

-Oliver Cromwell.

15. "The town is so now in your power, that of the former inhabitants, I believe scarce one in 20 can challenge any property in their houses."

-Oliver Cromwell.

16. "...such actions, which otherwise cannot but work remorse and regret."

-Oliver Cromwell.

17. "This is a righteous judgement of God upon these barbarous wretches, who have imbrued their hands in so much innocent blood…."

-Oliver Cromwell.

18. "by all unexpected providence, in His righteous justice, brought a just judgement upon them"

-Oliver Cromwell.

Quotes About Oliver Cromwell

Here is a select list of quotes about Cromwell as perceived by people over the ages.

19. "The commonest charge against Cromwell is hypocrisy - and the commonest basis for that is defective chronology."

-W.C Abbott, 'Writings and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell'.

20. "A devotee of law, he was forced to be often lawless; a civilian to the core, he had to maintain himself by the sword"

-John Buchanan, 'Oliver Cromwell'.

21."The sagest of usurpers, Cromwell; he

Too swept off the senates while he hewed the throne

Down to a block — immortal rebel!"

-Lord Byron, 'Child Harold's Pilgrimage- Canto IV'.

22. "A complex character such as that of Cromwell, is incapable of creation, except in times of great civil and religious excitement"

-F.A Inderwick, 'The Interregnum'.

23. "We must not be led by Victorian writers into regarding this triumph of the Ironsides and of Cromwell as a kind of victory for democracy and the Parliamentary system over Divine Right and Old World dreams."

-Winston Churchill, 'A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, Volume Two: The New World'.

24. "So restless Cromwell could not cease

In the inglorious Arts of Peace"

-Andrew Marvell.

25. "His character does not appear more extraordinary and unusual by the mixture of so much absurdity with so much penetration, than by his tempering such violent ambition, and such enraged fanaticism with so much regard to justice and humanity."

-David Hume, 'History of England'.

More Important Cromwell Quotes

Here is a list of some more Cromwell quotes exhibiting his views on the king, democracy, and the state.

26. "I tell you we will cut off his head with the crown upon it."

-Oliver Cromwell.

27. "I desire not to keep my place in this government an hour longer than I may preserve England in its just rights, and may protect the people of God in such a just liberty of their consciences..."

-Oliver Cromwell, Speech of dissolution of Parliament.

28. "Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"

-Oliver Cromwell, Speech to Rump Parliament.

29. "I need pity. I know what I feel. Great place and business in the world is not worth looking after."

-Oliver Cromwell, Letter to Richard Mayor.

30. "I am neither heir nor executor to Charles Stuart."

-Oliver Cromwell.

31. "God made them as stubble to our swords."

-Oliver Cromwell, Letter to Colonel Valentine Walton, following the Battle of Marston Moor.

32. "You drew me here to accept the place I now stand in."

-Oliver Cromwell, Parliamentarian Speech, 1658.

33. "This is our high calling. Rest we here, and here only."

-Oliver Cromwell, Letter to Charles Fleetwood.

34. "When I went there, I did not think to have done this. But perceiving the spirit of God so strong upon me, I would not consult flesh and blood."

-Oliver Cromwell, Speech on dissolution of Parliament.

35. "It's a blessed thing to die daily."

-Oliver Cromwell, Letter to Sir Thomas Fairfax.

36. "Ye have no more religion than my horse. Gold is your God."

-Oliver Cromwell, Speech dismissing the Rump Parliament.

37.  "The best men according to the flesh, and things, are lighter than vanity."

-Oliver Cromwell, Letter to Sir Thomas Fairfax.

38. "His, and only His counsel shall stand, whatsoever the designs of men, and the fury of the people be."

-Oliver Cromwell, Letter to Sir Thomas Fairfax.

39. "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.

40. "I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken."

-Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell English Civil War Quotes

Here's a list of quotes from the General talking about the Civil War and its implications.

41. "The King gave a very general answer: things are not well in Scotland;­ would they were in England!"

-Oliver Cromwell.

42. "We study the glory of God, and the honour and liberty of parliament, for which we unanimously fight, without seeking our own interests..."

-Oliver Cromwell, September 1644.

43. "I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that you call a Gentleman and is nothing else."

-Oliver Cromwell, letter to Sir William Spring, September 1643.

44. "Never were the spirits of men more embittered than now."

-Oliver Cromwell.

45. "...all the world acknowledged the geat hand of God in this business."

-Oliver Cromwell.

46. "We have daily bread, and shall have it, in despite of all enemies."

-Oliver Cromwell, letter to Lord Wharton, September 1648.

47. "Subtilty may deceive you; integrity never will."

-Oliver Cromwell.

48. "The honor of this retreat is due to God"

-Oliver Cromwell.

49. "...the thing is so real and undoubted a truth."

-Oliver Cromwell.

50. "Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking."

-Oliver Cromwell.

51. "I desire you would use all your skill to paint your picture truly like me"

-Oliver Cromwell.

52. "Do not trust the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you or I were going to be hanged."

-Oliver Cromwell.

53. "Truly, though kingship be not a title but a name of office that runs through the law"

-Oliver Cromwell.

54. "I plead for this nation, and all the honest men therein."

-Oliver Cromwell.

55. "What is all our histories, but God showing himself, shaking and trampling on everything that he has not planted."

-Oliver Cromwell.

56. "Nature can do more than physicians."

-Oliver Cromwell.

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