black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.

Ben Jonson

If you succeed not, cast not away the quills yet, nor scratch the wainscot, beat not the poor desk, but bring all to the forge and file again; turn it new.
BEN JONSON

Crafts Scratches Succeed
He was not of an age, but for all time!
BEN JONSON

Age Time
Let argument bear no unmusical sound.
BEN JONSON

Argument Bears Sound
A good poet’s made as well as born.
BEN JONSON

Born Made Poet
I remember, the players have often mentioned it as an honour to Shakespeare, that in his writing (whatsoever he penned) he never plotted out a line. My answer hath been, would he had blotted a thousand.
BEN JONSON

Answer Lines Mention Penend Player Writing
Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.
BEN JONSON

Affliction Person Prayer Wicked
For a man to write well, there are required three necessaries: to read the best authors, observe the best speakers, and much exercise of his own style.
BEN JONSON

Exercise Men Writing
Art hath an enemy call’d ignorance .
BEN JONSON

Art Enemy Ignorance
If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick
BEN JONSON

Illness Neurosis Sick
Nor for my peace will I go far, As wanderers do, that still do roam, But make my strengths, such as they are, Here in my bosom, and at home.
BEN JONSON

Home Stills Wanderers
I perceive affection makes a fool Of any man too much the father.
BEN JONSON

Father Men Parent
Ready writing makes not good writing, but good writing brings on ready writing.
BEN JONSON

Good Ready Writing
Ambition, like a torrent, never looks back.
BEN JONSON

Ambition Inspiration Looks
If men will impartially, and not asquint, look toward the offices and function of a poet, they will easily conclude to themselves the impossibility of any man’s being a good poet without first being a good man.
BEN JONSON

Good Man Men Office
Who falls for love of God, shall rise a star.
BEN JONSON

Fall Love Stars
I’ll give anything for a good copy now, be it true or false, so it be news.
BEN JONSON

False Giving News True

The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Ben Jonson Quotes