Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.
BEN JONSONThe world knows only two, that’s Rome and I.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
-
-
I am beholden to calumny, that she hath so endeavored to belie me.-It shall make me set a surer guard on myself, and keep a better watch upon my actions.
BEN JONSON -
A good man will avoid the spot of any sin. The very aspersion is grievous, which makes him choose his way in his life, as he would in his journey.
BEN JONSON -
Nor shall our cups make any guilty men; But at our parting, we will be, as when We innocently met.
BEN JONSON -
To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.
BEN JONSON -
Memory, of all the powers of the mind, is the most delicate and frail.
BEN JONSON -
I have discovered that a famed familiarity in great ones is a note of certain usurpation on the less; for great and popular men feign themselves to be servants to others to make those slaves to them.
BEN JONSON -
The poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
BEN JONSON -
Hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat.
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.
BEN JONSON -
Tell troth and shame the devil.
BEN JONSON -
Success hath made me wanton.
BEN JONSON -
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.
BEN JONSON -
There is no bounty to be showed to such As have real goodness: Bounty is A spice of virtue; and what virtuous act Can take effect on them that have no power Of equal habitude to apprehend it?
BEN JONSON -
Calumnies are answered best with silence.
BEN JONSON -
Let those that merely talk and never think, That live in the wild anarchy of drink
BEN JONSON -
The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion of his wisdom; the authority of those two will persuade.
BEN JONSON -
Sweet Swan of Avon! What a sight it were To see thee in our water yet appear.
BEN JONSON -
I have been at my book; and am now past the craggy paths of study, and come to the flowery plains of honour and reputation
BEN JONSON -
The covetous man never has money. The prodigal will have none shortly.
BEN JONSON -
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 -
A good poet’s made as well as born.
BEN JONSON -
A prince without letters is a Pilot without eyes. All his government is groping.
BEN JONSON -
Weigh the meaning and look not at the words.
BEN JONSON -
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 JONSON -
Follow a shadow, it still flies you, Seem to fly, it will pursue: So court a mistress, she denies you; Let her alone, she will court you. Say are not women truly, then, Styled but the shadows of us men?
BEN JONSON -
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.
BEN JONSON