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 JONSONIt is as great a spite to be praised in the wrong place, and by a wrong person, as can be done to a noble nature.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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True melancholy breeds your perfect fine wit.
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Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant; and of all tame a flatterer.
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Princes that would their people should do well Must at themselves begin, as at the head; For men, by their example, pattern out Their limitations, and regard of laws: A virtuous court a world to virtue draws.
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Force works on servile natures, not the free.
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A good man should and must Sit rather down with loss than rise unjust.
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The voice so sweet, the words so fair, As some soft chime had stroked the air; And though the sound had parted thence, Still left an echo in the sense.
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 -
It holds for good polity ever, to have that outwardly in vilest estimation, which inwardly is most dear to us.
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Popular men, They must create strange monsters, and then quell them, To make their arts seem something.
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To struggle when hope is banished! To live when life’s salt is gone! To dwell in a dream that’s vanished- To endure, and go calmly on!
BEN JONSON -
Still may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
BEN JONSON -
The burnt child dreads the fire.
BEN JONSON -
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.
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Were Guilt is, Rage and Courage doth abound.
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Prevent your day at morning.
BEN JONSON