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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 Jonson

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
Forbear, you things That stand upon the pinnacles of state, To boast your slippery height! when you do fall, You dash yourselves in pieces, ne’er to rise: And he that lends you pity, is not wise.
BEN JONSON

Boast Fall Pieces Wise
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?
BEN JONSON

Doors Judgment Lying Treasure
Were Guilt is, Rage and Courage doth abound.
BEN JONSON

Guilt Guilty Shame
Hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat.
BEN JONSON

Care Cat Sorrow
A prince without letters is a Pilot without eyes. All his government is groping.
BEN JONSON

Eye Government Letter
There is no doctrine will do good where nature is wanting.
BEN JONSON

Creeds Doctrine Good Waiting
A good poet’s made as well as born.
BEN JONSON

Born Made Poet
Chance will not do the work. Chance sends the breeze; But if the pilot slumber at the helm, The very wind that wafts us tow’rds the port May dash us on the shoals. The steersman’s part Is vigilance, or blow it rough or smooth.
BEN JONSON

Blow Slumber Wind
To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.
BEN JONSON

Communication Motivational Wise
Freedom doth with degree dispense.
BEN JONSON

Degree Dispense Freedom
It is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.
BEN JONSON

Art Giving Lying
To the old, long life and treasure; To the young, all health and pleasure.
BEN JONSON

Long Pleasure Treasure
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.
BEN JONSON

Home Joy
Tell troth and shame the devil.
BEN JONSON

Devil Shame Truth
O! How vain and vile a passion is this fear! What base uncomely things it makes men do.
BEN JONSON

Fear Men Passion

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.

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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.

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