Quote

Imitation pleases, because it affords matter for inquiring into the truth or falsehood of imitation, by comparing its likeness or unlikeness with the original.

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
Matter
Pleases
Falsehood
Imitation
Compare
Originals
Inquiring
Original
Affords
Please
Likeness
Truth
Comparing

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He wants worth who dares not praise a foe.
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What I have left is from my native spring I've still a heart that swells, in scorn of fate, And lifts me to my banks.
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If you have lived, take thankfully the past. Make, as you can, the sweet remembrance last.
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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 knock-down argument 'tis but a word and a blow.
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I saw myself the lambent easy light Gild the brown horror, and dispel the night.
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For all the happiness mankind can gain Is not in pleasure, but in rest from pain.
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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.
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He trudged along unknowing what he sought, And whistled as he went, for want of thought.
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The end of satire is the amendment of vices by correction and he who writes honestly is no more an enemy to the offender than the physician to the patient when he prescribes harsh remedies.
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To so perverse a sex all grace is vain.
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I never saw any good that came of telling truth.
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The elephant is never won by anger nor must that man who would reclaim a lion take him by the teeth.
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Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave deserves the fair.
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New vows to plight, and plighted vows to break.
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Ever a glutton, at another's cost, But in whose kitchen dwells perpetual frost.
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Tis Fate that flings the dice, And as she flings Of kings makes peasants, And of peasants kings.
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Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.
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But far more numerous was the herd of such, Who think too little, and who talk too much.
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