Ben Jonson Quotes

174 Sourced Quotes

Many punishments sometimes, and in some cases, as much discredit a prince as many funerals a physician.

Ben Jonson
All the wise world is little else, in nature, But parasites or subparasites.

Ben Jonson
He that would have his virtue published, is not the servant of virtue, but glory.

Ben Jonson
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
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
Nor shall our cups make any guilty men;
But at our parting, we will be, as when
We innocently met.

Ben Jonson
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
Ready writing makes not good writing, but good writing brings on ready writing.

Ben Jonson
One woman reads another's character Without the tedious trouble of deciphering

Ben Jonson
It is a note
Of upstart greatness to observe and watch
For these poor trifles, which the noble mind
Neglects and scorns.

Ben Jonson
A good man should and must Sit rather down with loss than rise unjust.

Ben Jonson
That I might live alone once with my gold!
O, 'tis a sweet companion! kind and true:
A man may trust it when his father cheats him,
Brother, or friend, or wife. O wondrous pelf!
That which makes all men false, is true itself.

Ben Jonson
For a man to write well, there are required three necessaries: to read the best authors, observe the best speakers, and much exercise of his own style.

Ben Jonson
Custom is the most certain mistress of language, as the public stamp makes the current money.

Ben Jonson
Wine it is the milk of Venus, And the poet's horse accounted: Ply it and you all are mounted.

Ben Jonson
Forbear, you things
That stand upon the pinnacles of state,
To boast your slippery height! when you do fall,
You dash yourselves in pieces, ne'er to rise:
And he that lends you pity, is not wise.

Ben Jonson
Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.

Ben Jonson
God wisheth none should wreck on a strange shelf: To him man's dearer than to himself.

Ben Jonson
The best pilots have need of mariners, besides sails, anchor and other tackle.

Ben Jonson
Let me alone to observe, till I turne my selfe into nothing but observation.

Ben Jonson
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.

Ben Jonson
To the old, long life and treasure; To the young, all health and pleasure.

Ben Jonson
Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.

Ben Jonson
Queen and huntress, chaste and fair, Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver car, State in wonted manner keep. Hesperus entreats thy light Goddess, excellently bright!

Ben Jonson
Minds that are great and free, should not on fortune pause: 'Tis crown enough to virtue still, her own applause.

Ben Jonson
He that is respectless in his courses oft sells his reputation at cheap market.

Ben Jonson
A new disease? I know not, new or old, but it may well be called poor mortals plague for, like a pestilence, it doth infect the houses of the brain till not a thought, or motion, in the mind, be free from the black poison of suspect.

Ben Jonson
Money never made any man rich, but his mind. He that can order himself to the law of nature, is not only without the sense, but the fear of poverty.

Ben Jonson
There is no bounty to be showed to such
As have real goodness: Bounty is
A spice of virtue; and what virtuous act
Can take effect on them that have no power
Of equal habitude to apprehend it?

Ben Jonson
A prince without letters is a Pilot without eyes. All his government is groping.

Ben Jonson