I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.
BEN JONSONRich apparel has strange virtues; it makes him that hath it without means esteemed for an excellent wit; he that enjoys it with means puts the world in remembrance of his means.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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I have discovered that a famed familiarity in great ones is a note of certain usurpation on the less; for great and popular men feign themselves to be servants to others to make those slaves to them.
BEN JONSON -
To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.
BEN JONSON -
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 -
The poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
BEN JONSON -
Who falls for love of God, shall rise a star.
BEN JONSON -
Nothing is more short-lived than pride.
BEN JONSON -
Sweet meat must have sour sauce.
BEN JONSON -
Confound these ancestors… They’ve stolen our best ideas!
BEN JONSON -
It is a note Of upstart greatness to observe and watch For these poor trifles, which the noble mind Neglects and scorns.
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 -
Poets are far rarer birds than kings.
BEN JONSON -
That old bald cheater, Time.
BEN JONSON -
For he that once is good, is ever great.
BEN JONSON -
It is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.
BEN JONSON -
Whom the disease of talking still once posses-seth, he can never hold his peace.
BEN JONSON






