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It holds for good polity ever, to have that outwardly in vilest estimation, which inwardly is most dear to us.

Ben Jonson

No glass renders a man’s form or likeness so true as his speech.
BEN JONSON

Glasses Men Speech
It is virtue that gives glory; that will endenizen a man everywhere.
BEN JONSON

Giving Men Virtue
A good dog deserves a good bone.
BEN JONSON

Bones Canine Dog
The world knows only two, that’s Rome and I.
BEN JONSON

Conceited Fools Rome Two
Woman, the more careful she is about her face, the more careless about her house.
BEN JONSON

Faces Home House
Whosoever loves not picture is injurious to truth, and all the wisdom of poetry. Picture is the invention of heaven, the most ancient and most akin to nature. It is itself a silent work, and always one and the same habit.
BEN JONSON

Ancient Heaven Silent
If 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 JONSON

Good Man Men Office
A valiant man Ought not to undergo, or tempt a danger, But worthily, and by selected ways, He undertakes with reason, not by chance. His valor is the salt t’ his other virtues, They’re all unseason’d without it.
BEN JONSON

Men Salt Way
No man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.
BEN JONSON

Easily May Men Taught Wise
Drink 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 JONSON

Drinking Sorrow Use
Court a mistress, she denies you; let her alone, she will court you.
BEN JONSON

Court Deny Mistress
The way to rise is to obey and please.
BEN JONSON

Please Success Way
Man and wife make one fool.
BEN JONSON

Marriage Men Wife
If all you boast of your great art be true; Sure, willing poverty lives most in you.
BEN JONSON

Art Being Poverty True
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

Ambition Conscience Law Rebel Self Soul
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

Real Spices Virtue

It holds for good polity ever, to have that outwardly in vilest estimation, which inwardly is most dear to us.

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It holds for good polity ever, to have that outwardly in vilest estimation, which inwardly is most dear to us.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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