Confound these ancestors… They’ve stolen our best ideas!
BEN JONSONDrink 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.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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That old bald cheater, Time.
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A good king is a public servant.
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Nothing is more short-lived than pride.
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A good life is a main argument.
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Art hath an enemy call’d ignorance .
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The burnt child dreads the fire.
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For whose sake, henceforth, all his vows be such, As what he loves may never like too much.
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Many punishments sometimes, and in some cases, as much discredit a prince as many funerals a physician.
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True gladness doth not always speak; joy, bred and born but in the tongue, is weak.
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You are not now to think what’s best to do, As in beginnings, but what must be done, Being thus enter’d; and slip no advantage That may secure you. Let them call it mischief; When it is past, and prosper’d , ’twill be virtue.
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He was not of an age, but for all time!
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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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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?
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Queen 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.
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Hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat.
BEN JONSON