John Dryden Quotes

Her wit was more than man, her innocence a child.

A thing well said will be wit in all languages.

Accurst ambition, how dearly I have bought you.

One of the greatest, most noble, and most sublime poems which either this age or nation has produced.

Music, Music for a while Shall all your cares beguile. Alexander's Feast

Moderate sorrow Fits vulgar love, and for a vulgar man: But I have lov'd with such transcendent passion, I soar'd, at first, quite out of reason's view, And now am lost above it.

Then we upon our globe's last verge shall go, And view the ocean leaning on the sky: From thence our rolling Neighbours we shall know, And on the Lunar world securely pry.

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

Learn to write well, or not to write at all.

And he, who servilely creeps after sense, Is safe, but ne'er will reach an excellence.

It is sufficient to say, according to the proverb, that here is God's plenty.

I am reading Jonson's verses to the memory of Shakespeare; an insolent, sparing, and invidious panegyric.

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.

A man may be capable, as Jack Ketch's wife said of his servant, of a plain piece of work, a bare hanging; but to makea malefactordiesweetly was only belonging toher husband.

Railing in other men may be a crime, But ought to pass for mere instinct in him: Instinct he follows and no further knows, For to write verse with him is to transprose.

A satirical poet is the check of the laymen on bad priests.

My whole life Has been a golden dream of love and friendship.

My right eye itches, some good luck is near.

When beauty fires the blood, how love exalts the mind!

She feared no danger, for she knew no sin.

Secret guilt by silence is betrayed.

Love either finds equality or makes it.

Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?

From Harmony, from heav'nly Harmony. This universal Frame began.

A coward is the kindest animal; 'Tis the most forgiving creature in a fight.

Prodigious actions may as well be done, by weaver's issue, as the prince's son.

The province of the soul is large enough to fill up every cranny of your time, and leave you much to answer for if one wretch be damned by your neglect.

It's a hard world, neighbors, if a man's oath must be his master.

Humility and resignation are our prime virtues.

To breed up the son to common sense is evermore the parent's least expense.

Discover the opinion of your enemies, which is commonly the truest; for they will give you no quarter, and allow nothing to complaisance.

Be secret and discreet; the fairy favors are lost when not concealed.

Thus like a Captive in an Isle confin'd, Man walks at large, a Pris'ner of the Mind

I am sore wounded but not slainI will lay me down and bleed a whileAnd then rise up to fight again

Welcome, thou kind deceiver!Thou best of thieves: who, with an easy key, Dost open life, and, unperceived by us, Even steal us from ourselves.

For you may palm upon us new for old:All, as they say, that glitters, is not gold.

Such subtle covenants shall be made, Till peace itself is war in masquerade.

We first make our habits, then our habits make us.

If others in the same Glass better see 'Tis for Themselves they look, but not for me: For my Salvation must its Doom receive Not from what others, but what I believe.

None are so busy as the fool and knave.

Tis Fate that flings the dice, And as she flingsOf kings makes peasants, And of peasants kings.

Whence but from heaven, could men unskilled in arts, In several ages born, in several parts, Weave such agreeing truths? Or how, or why, Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie?

Must I at length the Sword of Justice draw?Oh curst Effects of necessary Law!How ill my Fear they by my Mercy scan, Beware the Fury of a Patient Man.

Great wits are to madness near alliedAnd thin partitions do their bounds divide.

Only man clogs his happiness with care destroying what is with thoughts of what may be.

None but the brave deserves the fair.

Fight on my merry men all I'm a little wounded but I am not slain I will lay me down for to bleed a while Then I'll rise and fight with you again.

All human things are subject to decay And when fate summons monarchs must obey.

Every inch that is not fool is rogue.

Friendship of itself a holy tie is made more sacred by adversity.