Quotes from Ben Jonson

Mischiefs feed / Like beasts, till they be fat, and then they bleed.

In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be.

For this I find, where jealousy is fed, Horns in the mind are worse than on the head.

Indeed there's a woundy luck in names.

Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times

I feel my griefs too, and there scarce is ground Upon my flesh t'inflict another wound. Yet dare I not complain, or wish for death With holy Paul; lest it be thought the breath Of discontent; or that these prayers be For weariness of life, not love of thee.

Words borrowed of antiquity do lend a kind of majesty to style, and are not without their delight sometimes.

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.

Language most shews a man: Speak, that I may see thee.

Riches, the dumb god that giv'st all men tongues, / That canst do nought, and yet mak'st men do all things; / The price of souls; even hell, with thee to boot, / Is made worth heaven!

Many might go to heaven with half the labor they go to hell.

He wil sooner lose his best friend, then his least jest.

No, I do know that I was born To age, misfortune, sickness, grief: But I will bear these with that scorn As shall not need thy false relief. Nor for my peace will I go far, As wanderers do, that still do roam; But make my strengths, such as they are, Here in my bosom, and at home.

Soul of the age! The applause! delight! The wonder of our stage!

To speak and to speak well, are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.

Poor wretches! I rather pity their folly and indiscretion, than their loss of time and money; for these may be recovered by industry: but to be a fool born is a disease incurable.

Riches are in fortune A greater good than wisdom is in nature.

I do honour the very flea of his dog.

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.

In the hope to meet Shortly again, and make our absence sweet.

Tis no sin love's fruits to steal; But the sweet thefts to reveal; To be taken, to be seen, These have crimes accounted been.

SIR P: Sir, calumnies are answer'd best with silence.

Hood an ass with reverend purple, ... And he shall pass for a cathedral doctor (1. 2. 113-115)

Do not I know if women have a will They'll do 'gainst all the watches o'the world? (2. 7. 8-9)