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

Ben Jonson

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Ben Jonson
Age: 65 †
Born: 1572
Born: June 21
Died: 1637
Died: August 6
Actor
Literary Critic
Playwright
Poet
Writer
City of Westminster
Benjamin Jonson
Speak
Shows
May
Men
Thee
Leadership
Language

More quotes by Ben Jonson

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A good man will avoid the spot of any sin. The very aspersion is grievous, which makes him choose his way in his life, as he would in his journey.
Ben Jonson
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I see compassion may become a justice, though it be a weakness, I confess, and nearer a vice than a virtue.
Ben Jonson
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Nothing is a courtesy unless it be meant us, and that friendly and lovingly. We owe no thanks to rivers that they carry our boats, or winds that they be favoring and fill our sails, or meats that they be nourishing for these are what they are necessarily. Horses carry us, trees shade us but they know it not.
Ben Jonson
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No glass renders a man's form or likeness so true as his speech.
Ben Jonson
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Success produces confidence confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.
Ben Jonson
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The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.
Ben Jonson
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If men will impartially, and not asquint, look toward the offices and function of a poet, they will easily conclude to themselves the impossibility of any man's being a good poet without first being a good man.
Ben Jonson
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Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.
Ben Jonson
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Well, as he brews, so shall he drink.
Ben Jonson
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I feel my griefs too, and there scarce is ground Upon my flesh t'inflict another wound. Yet dare I not complain, or wish for death With holy Paul lest it be thought the breath Of discontent or that these prayers be For weariness of life, not love of thee.
Ben Jonson
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Aristotle was the first accurate critic and truest judge nay, the greatest philosopher the world ever had for he noted the vices of all knowledges, in all creatures, and out of many men's perfections in a science he formed still one Art.
Ben Jonson
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Each petty hand Can steer a ship becalm'd but he that will Govern and carry her to her ends, must know His tides, his currents, how to shift his sails What she will bear in foul, what in fair weathers Where her springs are, her leaks, and how to stop 'em What strands, what shelves, what rocks do threaten her.
Ben Jonson
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Books are faithful repositories, which may be awhile neglected or forgotten, but when they are opened again, will again impart their instruction.
Ben Jonson
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There is no greater hell than to be a prisoner of fear.
Ben Jonson
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It strikes! one, two, Three, four, five, six. Enough, enough, dear watch, Thy pulse hath beat enough. Now sleep and rest Would thou could'st make the time to do so too I'll wind thee up no more.
Ben Jonson
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Woman, the more careful she is about her face, the more careless about her house.
Ben Jonson
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One woman reads another's character Without the tedious trouble of deciphering
Ben Jonson
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It is as great a spite to be praised in the wrong place, and by a wrong person, as can be done to a noble nature.
Ben Jonson
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In the hope to meet Shortly again, and make our absence sweet.
Ben Jonson
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True melancholy breeds your perfect fine wit.
Ben Jonson