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I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.

Ben Jonson

Minds that are great and free, should not on fortune pause: ‘Tis crown enough to virtue still, her own applause.
BEN JONSON

Applause Crowns Mind Virtue
To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.
BEN JONSON

Communication Motivational Wise
It holds for good polity ever, to have that outwardly in vilest estimation, which inwardly is most dear to us.
BEN JONSON

Dear Estimation Hypocrisy
Whom hatred frights, let him not dream of sovereignty.
BEN JONSON

Dream Hate Hatred
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 JONSON

Glasses Men Spring
Hell itself must yield to industry.
BEN JONSON

Hell Industry Yield
Success produces confidence; confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.
BEN JONSON

Relax Reputation Ruins
I do honor the very flea of his dog.
BEN JONSON

Dog Hero Honor
Freedom doth with degree dispense.
BEN JONSON

Degree Dispense Freedom
For he that once is good, is ever great.
BEN JONSON

Good Greatness Once
Our whole life is like a play.
BEN JONSON

Life Play Whole
Soul of the age! The applause! delight! The wonder of our stage!
BEN JONSON

Age Delight Soul Wonder
God wisheth none should wreck on a strange shelf: To him man’s dearer than to himself.
BEN JONSON

Men Strange Wrecks
In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be.
BEN JONSON

June Life Perfect Summer
To men pressed by their wants all change is ever welcome.
BEN JONSON

Change Men Want Welcome
It is less dishonor to hear imperfectly than to speak imperfectly. The ears are excused; the understanding is not.
BEN JONSON

Ears Speak Understanding
Where dost thou careless lie, Buried in ease and sloth? Knowledge that sleeps, doth die; And this security, It is the common moth, That eats on wits and arts, and oft destroys them both.
BEN JONSON

Art Common Lying Security Sleep
If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick
BEN JONSON

Illness Neurosis Sick
Money never made any man rich, but his mind. He that can order himself to the law of nature, is not only without the sense, but the fear of poverty.
BEN JONSON

Law Men Mind Order Sense
Ambition, like a torrent, never looks back.
BEN JONSON

Ambition Inspiration Looks
Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need
BEN JONSON

Ambition Needs Slave
Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times.
BEN JONSON

Good Time Illustrate Men Stars
Hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat.
BEN JONSON

Care Cat Sorrow
… the best pilots have need of mariners, besides sails, anchor and other tackle.
BEN JONSON

Anchors Needs Sea
That I might live alone once with my gold! O, ’tis a sweet companion! kind and true: A man may trust it when his father cheats him, Brother, or friend, or wife. O wondrous pelf! That which makes all men false, is true itself.
BEN JONSON

Alone Brother Companions Money Sweet
O, for an engine, to keep back all clocks, or make the sun forget his motion!
BEN JONSON

Forget Sun Time
A good man will avoid the spot of any sin. The very aspersion is grievous, which makes him choose his way in his life, as he would in his journey.
BEN JONSON

Aspersion Choose Good Journey Men

I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.

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I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.

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