Ben Jonson Quotes
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Words borrowed of Antiquity do lend a kind of Majesty to style, and are not without their delight sometimes. For they have the authority of years, and out of their intermission do win to themselves a kind of grace-like newness. But the eldest of the present, and newest of the past Language, is the best.
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The voice so sweet, the words so fair, As some soft chime had stroked the air; And though the sound had parted thence, Still left an echo in the sense.
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Mischiefs feed / Like beasts, till they be fat, and then they bleed.
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He threatens many that hath injured one.
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Tell troth and shame the devil.
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The soul of man is infinite in what it covets.
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A thankful man owes a courtesy ever; the unthankful but when he needs it.
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How Fortune piles her sports when she begins to practise them!
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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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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.
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The Devil is an Ass , I do acknowledge it.
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I see compassion may become a justice, though it be a weakness, I confess, and nearer a vice than a virtue.
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A good king is a public servant.
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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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Nor use too swelling, or ill-sounded words . . . .
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To the old, long life and treasure; To the young, all health and pleasure.
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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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Chance will not do the work. Chance sends the breeze; But if the pilot slumber at the helm, The very wind that wafts us tow'rds the port May dash us on the shoals. The steersman's part Is vigilance, or blow it rough or smooth.
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Custom is the most certain mistress of language, as the public stamp makes the current money.
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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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The poet is the nearest borderer upon the orator.
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Man and wife make one fool.
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Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.
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Thy praise or dispraise is to me alike; One doth not stroke me, nor the other strike.
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A good poet's made as well as born.
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If I freely may discover What should please me in my lover, I would have her fair and witty, Savouring more of court than city; A little proud, but full of pity; Light and humorous in her toying, Oft building hopes, and soon destroying, Long, but sweet in the enjoying; Neither too easy nor to hard; All extremes I would have barr'd.
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Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.
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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.
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Memory, of all the powers of the mind, is the most delicate and frail.
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True gladness doth not always speak; joy, bred and born but in the tongue, is weak.
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