Ben Jonson Quotes

A collection of quotes by Ben Jonson.

Ben Jonson was a celebrated English playwright and poet, born in 1572. Known for his satirical and comedic works, he played a vital role in the development of English drama during the Renaissance period. Jonson's plays, including "Volpone" and "The Alchemist," garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success. He also excelled as a poet, with his works displaying a mix of wit, erudition, and lyrical beauty. Jonson was a contemporary and rival of William Shakespeare, and his contributions to English literature have left an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape.

Truth is the trial of itself And needs no other touch, And p

Truth is the trial of itself And needs no other touch, And purer than the purest gold, Refine it ne'er so much.

Truth Trials

Underneath this stone doth lie As much beauty as could die;

Underneath this stone doth lie As much beauty as could die; Which in life did harbor give To more virtue than doth live.

Life Beauty Virtues

The dignity of truth is lost With much protesting.

The dignity of truth is lost With much protesting.

Truth

They that know no evil will suspect none.

They that know no evil will suspect none.

Evil

He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity

He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity

Adversity

Success produces confidence confidence relaxes industry, and

Success produces confidence confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.

Success

A new disease? I know not, new or old, but it may well be ca

A new disease? I know not, new or old, but it may well be called poor mortals plague for, like a pestilence, it doth infect the houses of the brain till not a thought, or motion, in the mind, be free from the black poison of suspect.

Doubt

O, for an engine, to keep back all clocks, or make the sun f

O, for an engine, to keep back all clocks, or make the sun forget his motion!

Time

We are persons of quality, I assure you, and women of fashio

We are persons of quality, I assure you, and women of fashion, and come to see and to be seen.

Communism

He threatens many that hath injured one.

He threatens many that hath injured one.

Crime

To speak and to speak well, are two things. A fool may talk,

To speak and to speak well, are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.

Speeches (oratory)

Blueness doth express trueness.

Blueness doth express trueness.

Color

'Tis the common disease of all your musicians that they know

'Tis the common disease of all your musicians that they know no mean, to be entreated, either to begin or end.

Music

All concord's born of contraries.

All concord's born of contraries.

Contradiction

They say Princes learn no art truly, but the art of horseman

They say Princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom.

Horses

When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his fri

When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.

Honor

If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick

If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick

Illness Sickness Disease

He knows not his own strength that has not met adversity.

He knows not his own strength that has not met adversity.

Strength

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.

Happiness