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
The man that is once hated, both his good and his evil deeds oppress him.
Nor use too swelling, or ill-sounded words . . . .
A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night, It was the plant and flower of light. In small proportions we just beauties see, And in short measures life may perfect be.
What excellent fools religion makes of men.
Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect thing.
Language most shows a man, speak that I may see thee.
Force works on servile natures, not the free.
The burnt child dreads the fire.
All discourses but my own afflict me; they seem harsh, impertinent, and irksome
Man and wife make one fool.
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.
You learn nothing about someone by the way they win the fight, you learn everything about the way they lose and keep coming back.
Reader look, not on his picture but his book.
Affliction teacheth a wicked person sometime to pray; prosperity never.