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 JONSONThe burnt child dreads the fire.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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Confound these ancestors… They’ve stolen our best ideas!
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Who will not judge him worthy to be robbed That sets his doors wide open to a thief, And shows the felon where his treasure lies?
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All the wise world is little else, in nature, But parasites or subparasites.
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Whom the disease of talking still once posses-seth, he can never hold his peace.
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Ambition, like a torrent, ne’er looks back; And is a swelling, and the last affection A high mind can put off; being both a rebel Unto the soul and reason, and enforceth All laws, all conscience, treads upon religion, and offereth violence to nature’s self.
BEN JONSON -
No glass renders a man’s form or likeness so true as his speech.
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Follow 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?
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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?
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Minds that are great and free, should not on fortune pause: ‘Tis crown enough to virtue still, her own applause.
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Reader look, not on his picture but his book.
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For he that once is good, is ever great.
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Where dost thou careless lie, Buried in ease and sloth? Knowledge that sleeps, doth die; And this security, It is the common moth, That eats on wits and arts, and oft destroys them both.
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Now we are all fallen, youth from their fear, And age from that which bred it, good example.
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When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.
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Success produces confidence; confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.
BEN JONSON