Ben Jonson Quotes (101 Quotes)

I have betrayed myself with my own tongue The case is altered

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

Called by His Majesty's household the Doctor's Own Funeral Sermon. Preface to the first edition 1632 As sure as death.

Weigh the meaning and look not at the words.

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.'

The soul of man is infinite in what it covets.

The fear of every man that heard him was, lest he should make an end.

Think but how dear you bought
This fame which you have caught:
Such thoughts will make you more in love with truth.

Fortune, that favors fools.

The voice so sweet, the words so fair, As some soft chime had stroke the air And though the sound had parted thence, Still left an echo in the sense.

And on them burn so chaste a flame,
With so much loyalty's expense,
As Love to acquit such excellence
Is gone himself into your name.

Apes are apes, though clothed in scarlet.

Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant and of all tame, a flatterer.

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.

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.

I'll give anything for a good copy now, be it true or false, so it be news.

Alas, all the castles I have, are built with air, thou know'st.

Lady, it is to be presumed, Though art's hid causes are not found, All is not sweet, all is not sound.

I do honour the very flea of his dog.

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

A virtue, like allay so gone
Throughout your form as, though that move
And draw and conquer all men's love,
This subjects you to love of one.

This is the very womb and bed of enormity.

As he brews, so shall he drink.

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

Good morning to the day and next, my gold Open the shrine that I may see my saint.

Calumnies are answered best with silence.

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

To see and to be seen.

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.

That old bald cheater, Time.

He was not of an age, but for all time!

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

Come my Celia, let us prove, While we can, the sports of love Time will not be ours forever He at length our good will sever. Spend not then his gifts in vain Suns that set may rise again, But if once we lose this light 'Tis with us perpetual night.

That for which all virtue now is sold, and almost every vice- almighty gold

It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make men better be.

O rare Ben Jonson Which was done at the charge of Jack Young, who, walking there when the grave was covering, gave the fellow 18 pence to cut it. See Sir John Young.

It must be done like lightning.

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

Slow, slow, fresh fount, keep time with my salt tears Yet slower yet, O faintly, gentle springs.

I have been at my book, and am now past the craggy paths of study, and come to the flowery plains of honour and reputation.

If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick.

Talking is the disease of age.

Art hath an enemy called Ignorance.

The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.

Because I love you, I love you, my love,
in the attic where children play,
dreaming ancient lights of Hungary
through the noise, the balmy afternoon,
seeing sheep and irises of snow
through the dark silence of your forehead.

Still to be neat, still to be drest, As you were going to a feast.

He threatens many that hath injured one.

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

It is the highest of earthly honors to be descended from the great and good. They alone cry out against a noble ancestry who have none of their own.

Wherein the graver had a strife With Nature to out-do the life.