It is the highest of earthly honors to be descended from the great and good. They alone cry out against a noble ancestry who have none of their own.
BEN JONSONFollow a shadow, it still flies you, Seem to fly, it will pursue: So court a mistress, she denies you; Let her alone, she will court you. Say are not women truly, then, Styled but the shadows of us men?
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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Many punishments sometimes, and in some cases, as much discredit a prince as many funerals a physician.
BEN JONSON -
Tis no sin love’s fruits to steal; But the sweet thefts to reveal; To be taken, to be seen, These have crimes accounted been.
BEN JONSON -
The Devil is an Ass , I do acknowledge it.
BEN JONSON -
Sweet Swan of Avon! What a sight it were To see thee in our water yet appear.
BEN JONSON -
Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect thing.
BEN JONSON -
Poets are far rarer birds than kings.
BEN JONSON -
Who casts to write a living line, must sweat.
BEN JONSON -
The poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
BEN JONSON -
A good poet’s made as well as born.
BEN JONSON -
Nor shall our cups make any guilty men; But at our parting, we will be, as when We innocently met.
BEN JONSON -
Tis the common disease of all your musicians that they know no mean, to be entreated, either to begin or end.
BEN JONSON -
Let argument bear no unmusical sound.
BEN JONSON -
There is no bounty to be showed to such As have real goodness: Bounty is A spice of virtue; and what virtuous act Can take effect on them that have no power Of equal habitude to apprehend it?
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 -
The way to rise is to obey and please.
BEN JONSON