How near to good is what is fair!
BEN JONSONThe soul of man is infinite in what it covets.
More Ben Jonson Quotes
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They, who know no evil, will suspect none.
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Heaven prepares good men with crosses; but no ill can happen to a good man.
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Folly often goes beyond her bounds, but impudence knows none.
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Fear to do base, unworthy things is valor; if they be one to us, to suffer them is valor too.
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God wisheth none should wreck on a strange shelf: To him man’s dearer than to himself.
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The burnt child dreads the fire.
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Sweet Swan of Avon! What a sight it were To see thee in our water yet appear.
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Books are faithful repositories, which may be awhile neglected or forgotten, but when they are opened again, will again impart their instruction.
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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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If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick
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A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night, It was the plant and flower of light. In small proportions we just beauties see, And in short measures life may perfect be.
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A good dog deserves a good bone.
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True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.
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No simple word That shall be uttered at our mirthful board, Shall make us sad next morning; or affright The liberty that we’ll enjoy to-night.
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It is less dishonor to hear imperfectly than to speak imperfectly. The ears are excused; the understanding is not.
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The man that is once hated, both his good and his evil deeds oppress him.
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What excellent fools religion makes of men.
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Silence in woman is like speech in man.
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… the best pilots have need of mariners, besides sails, anchor and other tackle.
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Whosoever loves not picture is injurious to truth, and all the wisdom of poetry. Picture is the invention of heaven, the most ancient and most akin to nature. It is itself a silent work, and always one and the same habit.
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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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Where dost thou careless lie, Buried in ease and sloth? Knowledge that sleeps, doth die; And this security, It is the common moth, That eats on wits and arts, and oft destroys them both.
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Hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat.
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Calumnies are answered best with silence.
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For he that once is good, is ever great.
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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