Quote

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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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
First
Function
Good
Toward
Men
Poet
Office
Impartially
Look
Offices
Firsts
Conclude
Without
Impossibility
Looks
Easily

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Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times.
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Tell troth and shame the devil.
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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.
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Good men but see death, the wicked taste it.
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The way to rise is to obey and please.
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Sweet Swan of Avon! What a sight it were To see thee in our water yet appear.
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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.
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Cares that have entered once in the breast, will have whole possession of the rest.
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Nor shall our cups make any guilty men But at our parting, we will be, as when We innocently met.
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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.
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Still may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
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We are persons of quality, I assure you, and women of fashion, and come to see and to be seen.
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The covetous man never has money. The prodigal will have none shortly.
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Passions are spiritual rebels and raise sedition against the understanding.
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Peace is never more than one thought away.
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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.
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Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace Robes loosely flowing, hair as free Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
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Success hath made me wanton.
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I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.
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He that would have his virtue published, is not the servant of virtue, but glory.
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