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Men that talk of their own benefits are not believed to talk of them because they have done them, but to have done them because they might talk of them.

Ben Jonson

You are not now to think what’s best to do, As in beginnings, but what must be done, Being thus enter’d; and slip no advantage That may secure you. Let them call it mischief; When it is past, and prosper’d , ’twill be virtue.
BEN JONSON

Mischief Past Virtue
Fear to do base, unworthy things is valor; if they be one to us, to suffer them is valor too.
BEN JONSON

Courage Suffering Valor
The poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
BEN JONSON

Orators Oratory Poet
There is no doctrine will do good where nature is wanting.
BEN JONSON

Creeds Doctrine Good Waiting
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
Honor’s a good brooch to wear in a man’s hat at all times.
BEN JONSON

Hate Honor Men Time
Greatness of name, in the father, ofttimes helps not forth, but overwhelms the son: They stand too near one another. The shadow kills the growth.
BEN JONSON

Father Greatness Son
I have been at my book; and am now past the craggy paths of study, and come to the flowery plains of honour and reputation
BEN JONSON

Education Inspirational Past
The day For whose returns, and many, all these pray; And so do I.
BEN JONSON

Birthday Praying Return
No glass renders a man’s form or likeness so true as his speech.
BEN JONSON

Glasses Men Speech
I do honor the very flea of his dog.
BEN JONSON

Dog Hero Honor
To men pressed by their wants all change is ever welcome.
BEN JONSON

Change Men Want Welcome
Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.
BEN JONSON

Heart Hypocrisy Spread
The world knows only two, that’s Rome and I.
BEN JONSON

Conceited Fools Rome Two
Still to be neat, still to be drest, As you were going to a feast, Still to be powder’d, all perfum’d. Lady, it is to be presumed, Though art’s hid causes are not found, All is not sweet, all is not sound.
BEN JONSON

Art Causes Drest Near Sweet

Men that talk of their own benefits are not believed to talk of them because they have done them, but to have done them because they might talk of them.

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Men that talk of their own benefits are not believed to talk of them because they have done them, but to have done them because they might talk of them.

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Popular Authors

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