Wine it is the milk of Venus, And the poet’s horse accounted: Ply it and you all are mounted.
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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I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.
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 -
The pipe marks the point at which the orangutan ends and man begins.
BEN JONSON -
He that is respectless in his courses oft sells his reputation at cheap market.
BEN JONSON -
God wisheth none should wreck on a strange shelf: To him man’s dearer than to himself.
BEN JONSON -
Poor worms, they hiss at me, whilst I at home Can be contented to applaud myself, . . . with joy To see how plump my bags are and my barns.
BEN JONSON -
A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night, It was the plant and flower of light. In small proportions we just beauties see, And in short measures life may perfect be.
BEN JONSON -
A good dog deserves a good bone.
BEN JONSON -
The poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
BEN JONSON -
Sweet Swan of Avon! What a sight it were To see thee in our water yet appear.
BEN JONSON -
Nothing is more short-lived than pride.
BEN JONSON -
If all you boast of your great art be true; Sure, willing poverty lives most in you.
BEN JONSON -
The Devil is an Ass , I do acknowledge it.
BEN JONSON -
Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace Robes loosely flowing, hair as free Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
BEN JONSON -
To struggle when hope is banished! To live when life’s salt is gone! To dwell in a dream that’s vanished- To endure, and go calmly on!
BEN JONSON