Quote

If you succeed not, cast not away the quills yet, nor scratch the wainscot, beat not the poor desk, but bring all to the forge and file again turn it new.

Ben Jonson

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Away
Casts
File
Beat
Scratch
Beats
Scratches
Succeed
Files
Turn
Desk
Bring
Desks
Turns
Crafts
Quills
Poor
Cast
Forge

More quotes by Ben Jonson

Image
Nothing is more short-lived than pride.
Ben Jonson
Image
A good man should and must Sit rather down with loss than rise unjust.
Ben Jonson
Image
Art hath an enemy call'd ignorance .
Ben Jonson
Image
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
Image
Ready writing makes not good writing, but good writing brings on ready writing.
Ben Jonson
Image
All discourses but my own afflict me they seem harsh, impertinent, and irksome
Ben Jonson
Image
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
Image
Doing, a filthy pleasure is, and short And done, we straight repent us of the sport: Let us not rush blindly on unto it, Like lustful beasts, that only know to do it: For lust will languish, and that heat decay, But thus, thus, keeping endless Holy-.
Ben Jonson
Image
He threatens many that hath injured one.
Ben Jonson
Image
He that would have his virtue published, is not the servant of virtue, but glory.
Ben Jonson
Image
I see compassion may become a justice, though it be a weakness, I confess, and nearer a vice than a virtue.
Ben Jonson
Image
I'll give anything for a good copy now, be it true or false, so it be news.
Ben Jonson
Image
Many punishments sometimes, and in some cases, as much discredit a prince as many funerals a physician.
Ben Jonson
Image
A prince without letters is a Pilot without eyes. All his government is groping.
Ben Jonson
Image
The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.
Ben Jonson
Image
I have discovered that a famed familiarity in great ones is a note of certain usurpation on the less for great and popular men feign themselves to be servants to others to make those slaves to them.
Ben Jonson
Image
A good life is a main argument.
Ben Jonson
Image
Rich apparel has strange virtues it makes him that hath it without means esteemed for an excellent wit he that enjoys it with means puts the world in remembrance of his means.
Ben Jonson
Image
If all you boast of your great art be true Sure, willing poverty lives most in you.
Ben Jonson
Image
Hell itself must yield to industry.
Ben Jonson