The Devil is an Ass , I do acknowledge it.
BEN JONSONThe Devil is an Ass , I do acknowledge it.
BEN JONSONOne woman reads another’s character Without the tedious trouble of deciphering
BEN JONSONI would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.
BEN JONSONArt hath an enemy call’d ignorance .
BEN JONSONReady writing makes not good writing, but good writing brings on ready writing.
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?
BEN JONSONThe poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
BEN JONSONIt strikes! one, two, Three, four, five, six. Enough, enough, dear watch, Thy pulse hath beat enough. Now sleep and rest; Would thou could’st make the time to do so too; I’ll wind thee up no more.
BEN JONSONIn the hope to meet Shortly again, and make our absence sweet.
BEN JONSONMoney never made any man rich, but his mind. He that can order himself to the law of nature, is not only without the sense, but the fear of poverty.
BEN JONSONMinds that are great and free, should not on fortune pause: ‘Tis crown enough to virtue still, her own applause.
BEN JONSONDrink today, and drown all sorrow; You shall perhaps not do it tomorrow; Best, while you have it, use your breath; There is no drinking after death.
BEN JONSONIf 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 JONSONStill may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
BEN JONSONA good life is a main argument.
BEN JONSONNor use too swelling, or ill-sounded words . . . .
BEN JONSON