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Men's virtues I have commended as freely as I have taxed their crimes.

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
Freely
Crimes
Virtues
Taxes
Crime
Virtue
Men
Commended
Taxed

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They, who would combat general authority with particular opinion, must first establish themselves a reputation of understanding better than other men.
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As when the dove returning bore the mark Of earth restored to the long labouring ark The relics of mankind, secure at rest, Oped every window to receive the guest, And the fair bearer of the message bless'd.
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Among our crimes oblivion may be set.
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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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The true Amphitryon is the Amphitryon where we dine.
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An horrible stillness first invades our ear, And in that silence we the tempest fear.
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One cannot say he wanted wit, but rather that he was frugal of it.
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Fortune's unjust she ruins oft the brave, and him who should be victor, makes the slave.
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The winds that never moderation knew, Afraid to blow too much, too faintly blew Or out of breath with joy, could not enlarge Their straighten'd lungs or conscious of their charge.
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Honor is but an empty bubble.
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For granting we have sinned, and that the offence Of man is made against Omnipotence, Some price that bears proportion must be paid, And infinite with infinite be weighed.
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He who would search for pearls must dive below.
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I have a soul that like an ample shield Can take in all, and verge enough for more.
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The blushing beauties of a modest maid.
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Thus, while the mute creation downward bend Their sight, and to their earthly mother ten, Man looks aloft and with erected eyes Beholds his own hereditary skies.
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Imagination in a poet is a faculty so wild and lawless that, like a high ranging spaniel, it must have clogs tied to it, lest it outrun the judgment. The great easiness of blank verse renders the poet too luxuriant. He is tempted to say many things which might better be omitted, or, at least shut up in fewer words.
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