Ben Jonson Quotes

Quotes about:

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

  Ben Jonson

  Motivational, Wise, Communication

  Ben Jonson (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Ben Jonson (Illustrated)”, p.3209, Delphi Classics

  71 Copy quote

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

  Ben Jonson

  Friendship, Positive, Happiness

  'Cynthia's Revels' (1600) act 3, sc. 2

  53 Copy quote

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

  Ben Jonson

  No Fear, Hell, Prisoner

  39 Copy quote

• Force works on servile natures, not the free.

  Ben Jonson

  Nature, Force

  Ben Jonson (1756). “Works: Collated with all the former editions, and corrected with notes critical and explanatory”, p.29

  3 Copy quote

• Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup And I'll not look for wine.

  Ben Jonson

  Romantic, Food, Wine

  "To Celia" l. 1 (1616).

  39 Copy quote

• 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

  Writing, Exercise, Men

  Timber: or Discoveries made upon Men and Matter (published 1640).

  0 Copy quote

• You learn nothing about someone by the way they win the fight, you learn everything about the way they lose and keep coming back.

  Ben Jonson

  Art, Fighting, Winning

  11 Copy quote

• He who is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.

  Ben Jonson

  Inspirational, Art, Fool

  22 Copy quote

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

  Ben Jonson

  Memories, Mind, Frail

  Ben Jonson (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Ben Jonson (Illustrated)”, p.3182, Delphi Classics

  27 Copy quote

• They, who know no evil, will suspect none.

  Ben Jonson

  Evil, Knows, Suspects

  "Every Man in his Humour".

  3 Copy quote

• Ambition, like a torrent, never looks back.

  Ben Jonson

  Inspiration, Ambition, Looks

  24 Copy quote

• My thoughts and I were of another world.

  Ben Jonson

  World, Another World, My Thoughts

  Ben Jonson, William Gifford (1859). “The works of Ben Jonson”

  7 Copy quote

• Calumnies are answered best with silence.

  Ben Jonson

  Silence, Advice, Calumny

  'Volpone' (1605) act 2, sc. 2

  18 Copy quote

• 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.

  Ben Jonson

  Sweet, Echoes, Air

  'Eupheme' (1640) no. 4 'The Mind'

  55 Copy quote

• The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.

  Ben Jonson

  Life, Losing, Dignity

  Ben Jonson (1756). “The Works of Ben. Jonson: The alchemist. Catiline, his conspiracy. Bartholomew Fair”, p.201

  18 Copy quote

• Peace is never more than one thought away.

  Ben Jonson

  Peace, Harmony

  1 Copy quote

• To struggle when hope is banished! To live when life's salt is gone! To dwell in a dream that's vanished- To endure, and go calmly on!

  Ben Jonson

  Life, Dream, Struggle

  6 Copy quote

• The way to rise is to obey and please.

  Ben Jonson

  Success, Way, Please

  Ben Jonson (1990). “Sejanus His Fall”, p.178, Manchester University Press

  3 Copy quote

• 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.

  Ben Jonson

  Blow, Wind, Slumber

  15 Copy quote

• Great honours are great burdens, but on whom They are cast with envy, he doth bear two loads.

  Ben Jonson

  Two, Envy, Honor

  Ben Jonson, William Gifford (1857). “The Works of Ben Jonson”, p.386

  17 Copy quote

• Success produces confidence; confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.

  Ben Jonson

  Relax, Ruins, Reputation

  32 Copy quote

• It is virtue that gives glory; that will endenizen a man everywhere.

  Ben Jonson

  Men, Giving, Virtue

  Ben Jonson (1892). “Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter: And Some Poems”

  7 Copy quote

• Language most shows a man, speak that I may see thee.

  Ben Jonson

  Leadership, Men, May

  Ben Jonson, Robert S. Miola (2000). “Every Man in His Humour: Quarto Version”, p.53, Manchester University Press

  4 Copy quote

• No man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.

  Ben Jonson

  Wise, Men, May

  8 Copy quote

• It is less dishonor to hear imperfectly than to speak imperfectly. The ears are excused; the understanding is not.

  Ben Jonson

  Understanding, Ears, Speak

  Ben Jonson, William Gifford (1879). “The Works of Ben Jonson”

  7 Copy quote

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