John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
2904 Algernon Sidney 1622-1683 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 2904 |
| AUTHOR: | Algernon Sidney (1622–1683) |
| QUOTATION: | It is not necessary to light a candle to the sun. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Discourses on Government. Chap. ii. Sect. xxiii. |
| Note 1. Like his that lights a candle to the sun.—John Fletcher: Letter to Sir Walter Aston. And hold their farthing candle to the sun.—Edward Young: Satire vii. line 56. [back] |