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
Earth
Seed
Much
Weed
Men
Heavenly
Sprung
Seeds
Celestial
Fire
Spark
High
Vicious
Desire
Sparks
Power
Aspire

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Every language is so full of its own proprieties that what is beautiful in one is often barbarous, nay, sometimes nonsense, in another.
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Good Heaven, whose darling attribute we find is boundless grace, and mercy to mankind, abhors the cruel.
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Since every man who lives is born to die, And none can boast sincere felicity, With equal mind, what happens, let us bear, Nor joy nor grieve too much for things beyond our care. Like pilgrims to the' appointed place we tend The world's an inn, and death the journey's end.
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If all the world be worth thy winning. / Think, oh think it worth enjoying: / Lovely Thaïs sits beside thee, / Take the good the gods provide thee.
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For all the happiness mankind can gain Is not in pleasure, but in rest from pain.
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All habits gather by unseen degrees.
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Men's virtues I have commended as freely as I have taxed their crimes.
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Imitators are but a servile kind of cattle.
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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 greater part performed achieves the less.
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He who trusts a secret to his servant makes his own man his master.
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Let cheerfulness on happy fortune wait.
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At home the hateful names of parties cease, And factious souls are wearied into peace.
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Youth, beauty, graceful action seldom fail: But common interest always will prevail And pity never ceases to be shown To him who makes the people's wrongs his own.
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But 'tis the talent of our English nation, Still to be plotting some new reformation.
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Forgiveness to the injured does belong but they ne'er pardon who have done wrong.
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He wants worth who dares not praise a foe.
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Love taught him shame, and shame with love at strife Soon taught the sweet civilities of life.
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A good conscience is a port which is landlocked on every side, where no winds can possibly invade. There a man may not only see his own image, but that of his Maker, clearly reflected from the undisturbed waters.
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Maintain your post: That's all the fame you need For 'tis impossible you should proceed.
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