Quotes from Ben Jonson

They say princes learn no art truly but the art of horsemanship. The reason is the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom.

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

Those that merely talk and never think,That live in the wild anarchy of drink.

He knows not his own strength that has not met adversity.

As sure as death.

Rest in soft peace, and, asked, say here doth lieBen Jonson his best piece of poetry:For whose sake, henceforth, all his vows be such,As what he loves may never like too much.

The players have often mentioned it as an honor to Shakespeare that in his writing (whatsoever he penned) he never blotted out a line. My answer hath been, "Would he had blotted a thousand."… I loved the man [Shakespeare] and do honor his memory, on this side idolatry, as much as any.

There is no greater hell than to be a prisoner of fear.

Sweet Swan of Avon!

Though the most be players, some must be spectators.

Drink to me only with thine eyes,And I will pledge with mine;Or leave a kiss but in the cupAnd I'll not look for wine.The thirst that from the soul doth riseDoth ask a drink divine;But might I of Jove's nectar sup,I would not change for thine.

Whilst that for which all virtue now is sold,And almost every vice—almighty gold.

Who casts to write a living line, must sweat.

A good poet's made as well as born.

Be not ashamed of thy virtues honor's a good brooch to wear in a man's hat at all times.

Cares that have entered once in the breast, will have whole possession of the rest.

Talking is the disease of age.

The covetous man never has money. The prodigal will have none shortly.

Drink today, and drown all sorrow; You shall perhaps not do it tomorrow; Best, while you have it, use your breath; There is no drinking after death.

True happiness Consists not in the multitude of friends, But in the worth and choice.

There was never a great genius without a touch of madness.

Language most shows a man; speak that I may see thee

Memory, of all the powers of the mind, is the most delicate and frail.

He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity.