Ben Jonson Quotes

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

Aspersion Choose Good Journey Men
[The play] is like to be a very conceited scurvy one, in plain English.
BEN JONSON

Conceited English Plain Play
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

Action Calumny Watches
For whose sake, henceforth, all his vows be such, As what he loves may never like too much.
BEN JONSON

Love May Sake
The poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
BEN JONSON

Orators Oratory Poet
The pipe marks the point at which the orangutan ends and man begins.
BEN JONSON

Men Smoking
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.
BEN JONSON

Die Fall Flower Night Proportion
Our whole life is like a play.
BEN JONSON

Life Play Whole
For he that once is good, is ever great.
BEN JONSON

Good Greatness Once
I’ll give anything for a good copy now, be it true or false, so it be news.
BEN JONSON

False Giving News True
When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.
BEN JONSON

Enemy Grief Men