For a man to write well, there are required three necessaries: to read the best authors, observe the best speakers, and much exercise of his own style.
BEN JONSONAristotle was the first accurate critic and truest judge nay, the greatest philosopher the world ever had; for he noted the vices of all knowledges, in all creatures, and out of many men’s perfections in a science he formed still one Art.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be.
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O, for an engine, to keep back all clocks, or make the sun forget his motion!
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Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need
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Love that is ignorant and hatred have almost the same ends.
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Language most shows a man, speak that I may see thee.
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Tis the common disease of all your musicians that they know no mean, to be entreated, either to begin or end.
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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.
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The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.
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It 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.
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Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace Robes loosely flowing, hair as free Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
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Wine it is the milk of Venus, And the poet’s horse accounted: Ply it and you all are mounted.
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Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times.
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Tis no sin love’s fruits to steal; But the sweet thefts to reveal; To be taken, to be seen, These have crimes accounted been.
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He who is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.
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There is no doctrine will do good where nature is wanting.
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