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
Princes that would their people should do well Must at themselves begin, as at the head; For men, by their example, pattern out Their limitations, and regard of laws: A virtuous court a world to virtue draws.
Ambition, like a torrent, ne'er looks back; And is a swelling, and the last affection A high mind can put off; being both a rebel Unto the soul and reason, and enforceth All laws, all conscience, treads upon religion, and offereth violence to nature's self.
A good dog deserves a good bone.
True melancholy breeds your perfect fine wit.
Honor's a good brooch to wear in a man's hat at all times.
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.
You learn nothing about someone by the way they win the fight, you learn everything about the way they lose and keep coming back.
Passions are spiritual rebels and raise sedition against the understanding.
Minds that are great and free, should not on fortune pause: 'Tis crown enough to virtue still, her own applause.
They that know no evil will suspect none.
Soul of the age! The applause! delight! The wonder of our stage!
Mischiefs feed / Like beasts, till they be fat, and then they bleed.
Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need
Hang sorrow, care'll kill a cat.