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

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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.
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If all you boast of your great art be true Sure, willing poverty lives most in you.
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One woman reads another's character Without the tedious trouble of deciphering
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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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Ready writing makes not good writing, but good writing brings on ready writing.
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The way to rise is to obey and please.
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Many punishments sometimes, and in some cases, as much discredit a prince as many funerals a physician.
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It is the highest of earthly honors to be descended from the great and good. They alone cry out against a noble ancestry who have none of their own.
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The soul of man is infinite in what it covets.
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Still may syllables jar with time, Still may reason war with rhyme, Resting never!
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Well, I will scourge those apes, And to these courteous eyes oppose a mirror, As large as is the stage whereon we act Where they shall see the time's deformity Anatomised in every nerve, and sinew, With constant courage, and contempt of fear.
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