Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson
Benjamin "Ben" Jonsonwas an English playwright, poet, actor and literary critic of the 17th century, whose artistry exerted a lasting impact upon English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours. He is best known for the satirical plays Every Man in His Humour, Volpone, or The Foxe, The Alchemistand Bartholomew Fayre: A Comedyand for his lyric poetry; he is generally regarded as the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth11 June 1572
Where it concerns himself, Who's angry at a slander, makes it true.
Sweet meat must have sour sauce.
To the old, long life and treasure; To the young, all health and pleasure.
One woman reads another's character Without the tedious trouble of deciphering
Vice Is like a fury to the vicious mind, And turns delight itself to punishment.
Poor worms, they hiss at me, whilst I at home Can be contented to applaud myself, . . . with joy To see how plump my bags are and my barns.
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.
Wine it is the milk of Venus, And the poet's horse accounted: Ply it and you all are mounted.
The way to rise is to obey and please.
Who will not judge him worthy to be robbed That sets his doors wide open to a thief, And shows the felon where his treasure lies?
He that would have his virtue published, is not the servant of virtue, but glory.
Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.
Now we are all fallen, youth from their fear, And age from that which bred it, good example.
Fortune, that favors fools.