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Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.

Ben Jonson

It holds for good polity ever, to have that outwardly in vilest estimation, which inwardly is most dear to us.
BEN JONSON

Dear Estimation Hypocrisy
Still 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 JONSON

Art Causes Drest Near Sweet
I perceive affection makes a fool Of any man too much the father.
BEN JONSON

Father Men Parent
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

Ambition Conscience Law Rebel Self Soul
Ready writing makes not good writing, but good writing brings on ready writing.
BEN JONSON

Good Ready Writing
That old bald cheater, Time.
BEN JONSON

Bald Cheater Old Time
Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.
BEN JONSON

Heart Hypocrisy Spread
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?
BEN JONSON

Doors Judgment Lying Treasure
Language most shows a man, speak that I may see thee.
BEN JONSON

Leadership May Men
He that is respectless in his courses oft sells his reputation at cheap market.
BEN JONSON

Courses Reputation Sells
Fortune, thou hadst no deity, if men Had wisdom.
BEN JONSON

Fortune Men
Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need
BEN JONSON

Ambition Needs Slave
As it is a great point of art, when our matter requires it, to enlarge and veer out all sail, so to take it in and contract it is of no less praise when the argument doth ask it.
BEN JONSON

Art Ask Matter Praise Style
Who falls for love of God, shall rise a star.
BEN JONSON

Fall Love Stars
I now think, Love is rather deaf, than blind, For else it could not be, That she, Whom I adore so much, should so slight me, And cast my love behind.
BEN JONSON

Blind Love Slight Thinking
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.
BEN JONSON

Chair Light Queens Seated Sleep

Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.

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Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.

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