I glory, more in the cunning purchase of my wealth than in the glad possession.
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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Poets are far rarer birds than kings.
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Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times.
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Guilt’s a terrible thing.
BEN JONSON -
The burnt child dreads the fire.
BEN JONSON -
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.
BEN JONSON -
Out of clothes out of countenance, out of countenance out of wit.
BEN JONSON -
Ambition, like a torrent, never looks back.
BEN JONSON -
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 -
If you succeed not, cast not away the quills yet, nor scratch the wainscot, beat not the poor desk, but bring all to the forge and file again; turn it new.
BEN JONSON -
Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.
BEN JONSON -
Still may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
BEN JONSON -
Chance will not do the work. Chance sends the breeze; But if the pilot slumber at the helm, The very wind that wafts us tow’rds the port May dash us on the shoals. The steersman’s part Is vigilance, or blow it rough or smooth.
BEN JONSON -
It is virtue that gives glory; that will endenizen a man everywhere.
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Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.
BEN JONSON -
They, who know no evil, will suspect none.
BEN JONSON