One woman reads another’s character Without the tedious trouble of deciphering
BEN JONSONStill 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.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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Court a mistress, she denies you; let her alone, she will court you.
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When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.
BEN JONSON -
Drink today, and drown all sorrow; You shall perhaps not do it tomorrow; Best, while you have it, use your breath; There is no drinking after death.
BEN JONSON -
Freedom doth with degree dispense.
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Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.
BEN JONSON -
Well, I will scourge those apes, And to these courteous eyes oppose a mirror, As large as is the stage whereon we act; Where they shall see the time’s deformity Anatomised in every nerve, and sinew, With constant courage, and contempt of fear.
BEN JONSON -
They, who know no evil, will suspect none.
BEN JONSON -
It is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.
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The burnt child dreads the fire.
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Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect thing.
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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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Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.
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Forbear, you things That stand upon the pinnacles of state, To boast your slippery height! when you do fall, You dash yourselves in pieces, ne’er to rise: And he that lends you pity, is not wise.
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Nor use too swelling, or ill-sounded words . . . .
BEN JONSON -
The man that is once hated, both his good and his evil deeds oppress him.
BEN JONSON