Language most shows a man; speak that I may see thee; it springs out of the most retired and inmost parts of us, and is the image of the parent of it, the mind. No glass renders a man’s form or likeness so true as his speech.
BEN JONSONStill may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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I do honor the very flea of his dog.
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To the old, long life and treasure; To the young, all health and pleasure.
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Cares that have entered once in the breast, will have whole possession of the rest.
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Success hath made me wanton.
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God wisheth none should wreck on a strange shelf: To him man’s dearer than to himself.
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Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup And I’ll not look for wine.
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To men pressed by their wants all change is ever welcome.
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Princes that would their people should do well Must at themselves begin, as at the head; For men, by their example, pattern out Their limitations, and regard of laws: A virtuous court a world to virtue draws.
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Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.
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Ambition, like a torrent, ne’er looks back; And is a swelling, and the last affection A high mind can put off; being both a rebel Unto the soul and reason, and enforceth All laws, all conscience, treads upon religion, and offereth violence to nature’s self.
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All the wise world is little else, in nature, But parasites or subparasites.
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True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.
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Freedom doth with degree dispense.
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Court a mistress, she denies you; let her alone, she will court you.
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A good life is a main argument.
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Tis the common disease of all your musicians that they know no mean, to be entreated, either to begin or end.
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Great honours are great burdens, but on whom They are cast with envy, he doth bear two loads.
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Hell itself must yield to industry.
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Minds that are great and free, should not on fortune pause: ‘Tis crown enough to virtue still, her own applause.
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Sweet meat must have sour sauce.
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As it is a great point of art, when our matter requires it, to enlarge and veer out all sail, so to take it in and contract it is of no less praise when the argument doth ask it.
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Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.
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Queen and huntress, chaste and fair Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep: Hesperus entreats thy light Goddess, excellently bright.
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There is no bounty to be showed to such As have real goodness: Bounty is A spice of virtue; and what virtuous act Can take effect on them that have no power Of equal habitude to apprehend it?
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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.
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In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be.
BEN JONSON