Quote

Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Yet, sprung from high, is of celestial seed: In God 'tisglory and when men aspire, 'Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire.

John Dryden

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John Dryden
Age: 68 †
Born: 1631
Born: August 7
Died: 1700
Died: May 12
Hymnwriter
Literary Critic
Playwright
Poet
Translator
Aldwincle
Northamptonshire
Seeds
Celestial
Fire
Spark
High
Vicious
Desire
Sparks
Power
Aspire
Earth
Seed
Much
Weed
Men
Heavenly
Sprung

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He invades authors like a monarch and what would be theft in other poets is only victory in him.
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Virtue in distress, and vice in triumph make atheists of mankind.
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For every inch that is not fool, is rogue.
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Sweet is pleasure after pain.
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From plots and treasons Heaven preserve my years, But save me most from my petitioners. Unsatiate as the barren womb or grave God cannot grant so much as they can crave.
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The true Amphitryon is the Amphitryon where we dine.
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For all the happiness mankind can gain Is not in pleasure, but in rest from pain.
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Democracy is essentially anti-authoritarian--that is, it not only demands the right but imposes the responsibility of thinking for ourselves.
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If passion rules, how weak does reason prove!
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The greater part performed achieves the less.
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The good we have enjoyed from Heaven's free will, and shall we murmur to endure the ill?
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For secrets are edged tools, And must be kept from children and from fools.
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If we from wealth to poverty descend, Want gives to know the flatterer from the friend.
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Want is a bitter and a hateful good, Because its virtues are not understood Yet many things, impossible to thought, Have been by need to full perfection brought. The daring of the soul proceeds from thence, Sharpness of wit, and active diligence Prudence at once, and fortitude it gives And, if in patience taken, mends our lives.
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