Ben Jonson

He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity

— Ben Jonson

Blueness doth express trueness.

— Ben Jonson

All concord's born of contraries.

— Ben Jonson

He threatens many that hath injured one.

— Ben Jonson

They that know no evil will suspect none.

— Ben Jonson

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

— Ben Jonson

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

— Ben Jonson

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.

— Ben Jonson

If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick

— Ben Jonson

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

— Ben Jonson

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

— Ben Jonson

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

— Ben Jonson

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.

— Ben Jonson

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

— Ben Jonson

Greatness of name in the father ofttimes helps not forth but overwhelms the son; they stand too near one another, the shadow kills the growth. So much, that we see the grandchild come more and oftener to be heir.

— Ben Jonson

I sing the birth was born tonight, The Author both of life and light, The angels so did sound it; And like the ravished shepherds said, Who saw the light, and were afraid, Yet searched, and true they found it.

— Ben Jonson

Tonight, grave sir, both my poor house and I Do equally desire your company; Not that we think us worthy such a guest, But that your worth will dignify our feast With those that come, whose grace may make that seem Something, which else could hope for no esteem.

— Ben Jonson