“There has now for diverse Years, a design been carried on, to change the Lawfull Government of England into an Absolute Tyranny, and to convert the established Protestant Religion into down-right Popery.”

Warning against what Marvell saw as threats of absolutism and religious coercion · Pamphlet, An Account of the Growth of Popery and Arbitrary Government

• Liberty
• Politics
• Power

“There being scarce any spectacle more pleasing to God and Man then to see the proud humbled.”

A characteristic Marvellian pleasure in seeing arrogance brought low · The Rehearsal Transpros'd: The Second Part

• Humility
• Justice
• Power

“I found nevertheless after the writing of that Book, that natural relenting of mind which most men feel after they have done an harsh, though necessary action.”

Acknowledging the human unease that can follow necessary severity · The Rehearsal Transpros'd: The Second Part

• Compassion
• Criticism
• Humanity

“I do most certainly believe that the Supream Magistrate hath some Power, but not all Power in matters of Religion.”

Drawing a firm boundary between political authority and religious conscience · The Rehearsal Transpros'd: The Second Part

• Faith
• Freedom
• Power

“I am (if I may say it with reverence) drawn in, I hope by a good Providence, to intermeddle in a noble and high argument.”

Recognising the seriousness of an argument larger than personal controversy · Letter to Sir Edward Harley, 3 May 1673

• Duty
• Faith
• Writing

“However I will for mine own private satisfaction forthwith draw up an answer that shall have as much of spirit and solidity in it as my ability will afford & the age we live in will indure.”

Resolving to answer criticism with both vigour and substance · Letter to Sir Edward Harley, 3 May 1673

• Criticism
• Perseverance
• Writing

“Although it handles me so roughly yet I am not at all amated by it.”

Meeting hostile criticism without being intimidated by it · Letter to Sir Edward Harley, 3 May 1673

• Courage
• Criticism
• Strength

“I need not tell you I am always thinking of you.”

A simple expression of enduring friendship and affection · Letter to William Ramsden, 28 November 1670

• Friendship
• Love

“A Conformist to the established Rites of the Church of England, though I confess none of the most over-running or eager in them.”

Describing his father's measured, undemonstrative faith · Prose essay (The Rehearsal Transpros'd: The Second Part)

• Faith

“The mind of man is a little world, and hath in it all the variety and forms of the world.”

Reflecting on the boundless inner richness of human thought · Prose essay (The Rehearsal Transpros'd)

• Art
• Truth