Ben Jonson Quotes

Talking is the disease of age.

Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak, and to speak well, are two things.

Neither do thou lust after that tawny weed tobacco.

Let them call it mischief: When it is past and prospered t'will be virtue.

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

Ill fortune never crushed that man whom good fortune deceived not.

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

I do honour the very flea of his dog.

Honor's a good brooch to wear in a man's hat at all times.

He threatens many that hath injured one.

Fortune, that favors fools.

Art hath an enemy called Ignorance.

Apes are apes, though clothed in scarlet.

And though thou hadst small Latin, and less Greek.

Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need.

O, for an engine, to keep back all clocks, or make the sun forget his motion!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

A woman, the more curious she is about her face, is commonly the more careless about her house.

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

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