If men will impartially, and not asquint, look toward the offices and function of a poet, they will easily conclude to themselves the impossibility of any man’s being a good poet without first being a good man.
BEN JONSONThat 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.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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Indeed there’s a woundy luck in names.
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To men pressed by their wants all change is ever welcome.
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Aristotle was the first accurate critic and truest judge nay, the greatest philosopher the world ever had; for he noted the vices of all knowledges, in all creatures, and out of many men’s perfections in a science he formed still one Art.
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The man that is once hated, both his good and his evil deeds oppress him.
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It is a note Of upstart greatness to observe and watch For these poor trifles, which the noble mind Neglects and scorns.
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Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.
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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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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.
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Hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat.
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Fortune, that favors fools.
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The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion of his wisdom; the authority of those two will persuade.
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Still may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
BEN JONSON -
True gladness doth not always speak; joy, bred and born but in the tongue, is weak.
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Sweet Swan of Avon! What a sight it were To see thee in our water yet appear.
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Mischiefs feed / Like beasts, till they be fat, and then they bleed.
BEN JONSON