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 JONSONWell, 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.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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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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Court a mistress, she denies you; let her alone, she will court you.
BEN JONSON -
Whom hatred frights, let him not dream of sovereignty.
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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.
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Rich 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.
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Poets are far rarer birds than kings.
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Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect thing.
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Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.
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Your highest female grace is silence.
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A good king is a public servant.
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There is no doctrine will do good where nature is wanting.
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Ready writing makes not good writing, but good writing brings on ready writing.
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Nor shall our cups make any guilty men; But at our parting, we will be, as when We innocently met.
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Nor for my peace will I go far, As wanderers do, that still do roam, But make my strengths, such as they are, Here in my bosom, and at home.
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Still 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.
BEN JONSON