It is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.
BEN JONSONIt is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.
BEN JONSONFor whose sake, henceforth, all his vows be such, As what he loves may never like too much.
BEN JONSONIt is less dishonor to hear imperfectly than to speak imperfectly. The ears are excused; the understanding is not.
BEN JONSONTell troth and shame the devil.
BEN JONSON[The play] is like to be a very conceited scurvy one, in plain English.
BEN JONSONLanguage most shows a man; speak that I may see thee; it springs out of the most retired and inmost parts of us, and is the image of the parent of it, the mind. No glass renders a man’s form or likeness so true as his speech.
BEN JONSONStill to be neat, still to be drest, As you were going to a feast, Still to be powder’d, all perfum’d. Lady, it is to be presumed, Though art’s hid causes are not found, All is not sweet, all is not sound.
BEN JONSONHow near to good is what is fair!
BEN JONSONThe soul of man is infinite in what it covets.
BEN JONSONA prince without letters is a Pilot without eyes. All his government is groping.
BEN JONSONThe Devil is an Ass , I do acknowledge it.
BEN JONSONGreatness of name, in the father, ofttimes helps not forth, but overwhelms the son: They stand too near one another. The shadow kills the growth.
BEN JONSONQueen and huntress, chaste and fair Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep: Hesperus entreats thy light Goddess, excellently bright.
BEN JONSONWhat excellent fools religion makes of men.
BEN JONSONThere is no greater hell than to be a prisoner of fear.
BEN JONSONA thankful man owes a courtesy ever; the unthankful but when he needs it.
BEN JONSON