black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

Confound these ancestors… They’ve stolen our best ideas!

Ben Jonson

It is as great a spite to be praised in the wrong place, and by a wrong person, as can be done to a noble nature.
BEN JONSON

Done Noble Person Wrong
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
Woman, the more careful she is about her face, the more careless about her house.
BEN JONSON

Faces Home House
Folly often goes beyond her bounds, but impudence knows none.
BEN JONSON

Folly Impudence Rudeness
Still may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
BEN JONSON

May Poetry War
There is no doctrine will do good where nature is wanting.
BEN JONSON

Creeds Doctrine Good Waiting
I glory, more in the cunning purchase of my wealth than in the glad possession.
BEN JONSON

Glory Greed Wealth
Nothing is more short-lived than pride.
BEN JONSON

Live Pride Short
Heaven prepares good men with crosses; but no ill can happen to a good man.
BEN JONSON

Good Man Heaven Men
Well, I will scourge those apes, And to these courteous eyes oppose a mirror, As large as is the stage whereon we act; Where they shall see the time’s deformity Anatomised in every nerve, and sinew, With constant courage, and contempt of fear.
BEN JONSON

Act Apes Courage Eye Mirror Time
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

Example Law Men Patteren People
Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times.
BEN JONSON

Good Time Illustrate Men Stars
The Devil is an Ass , I do acknowledge it.
BEN JONSON

Acknowledge Ass Devil
Sweet Swan of Avon! What a sight it were To see thee in our water yet appear.
BEN JONSON

Sight Swans Sweet
Thy praise or dispraise is to me alike; One doth not stroke me, nor the other strike.
BEN JONSON

Praise Strikes Strokes
I perceive affection makes a fool Of any man too much the father.
BEN JONSON

Father Men Parent

Confound these ancestors… They’ve stolen our best ideas!

Related Topics

Popular Authors

Confound these ancestors… They’ve stolen our best ideas!

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Ben Jonson Quotes