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We must beat the iron while it is hot, but we may polish it at leisure.

John Dryden

He invades authors like a monarch; and what would be theft in other poets is only victory in him.
JOHN DRYDEN

Author Himself Poet Theft Victory
When we view elevated ideas of Nature, the result of that view is admiration, which is always the cause of pleasure.
JOHN DRYDEN

Ideas Nature Pleasure View
Not sharp revenge, nor hell itself can find, A fiercer torment than a guilty mind, Which day and night doth dreadfully accuse, Condemns the wretch, and still the charge renews.
JOHN DRYDEN

Charge Mindset Revenge Sharp
A happy genius is the gift of nature.
JOHN DRYDEN

Genius Gift Happy Nature
But far more numerous was the herd of such, Who think too little, and who talk too much.
JOHN DRYDEN

Numerous Talk Thinking
Love is not in our choice but in our fate.
JOHN DRYDEN

Choice Fate Love
Thus all below is strength, and all above is grace.
JOHN DRYDEN

Grace Strength
When a man’s life is under debate, The judge can ne’er too long deliberate.
JOHN DRYDEN

Judgement Life Man
All, as they say, that glitters is not gold.
JOHN DRYDEN

Glitter Gold
Among our crimes oblivion may be set.
JOHN DRYDEN

Crime Oblivion
So the false spider, when her nets are spread, deep ambushed in her silent den does lie.
JOHN DRYDEN

Fake Lying Silence
Be slow to resolve, but quick in performance.
JOHN DRYDEN

Performance Quick Slow
Welcome, thou kind deceiver! Thou best of thieves; who, with an easy key, Dost open life, and, unperceived by us, Even steal us from ourselves.
JOHN DRYDEN

Best Kind Ourselves Steal
There’s a proud modesty in merit; averse from asking, and resolved to pay ten times the gifts it asks.
JOHN DRYDEN

Gift Modesty Proud Time
When I consider life, it is all a cheat. Yet fooled with hope, people favor this deceit.
JOHN DRYDEN

Cheating Favor Fools Hope Life
When I consider life, ’tis all a cheat; Yet, fooled with hope, men favour the deceit; Trust on, and think tomorrow will repay. Tomorrow’s falser than the former day.
JOHN DRYDEN

Cheat Day False Fools Life

We must beat the iron while it is hot, but we may polish it at leisure.

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We must beat the iron while it is hot, but we may polish it at leisure.

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Popular Authors

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