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

Ben Jonson

Neither do thou lust after that tawny weed tobacco.

Ben Jonson

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

Ben Jonson

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

Ben Jonson

Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak, and to speak well, are two things.

Ben Jonson

Talking is the disease of age.

Ben Jonson

Discover more poets

John DonneVirgil
Dante AlighieriOvid
Benjamin JohnsonSolomon Ibn Gabirol

There is no greater hell than to be a prisoner of fear.

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

They that know no evil will suspect none.

Ben Jonson

This is the very womb and bed of enormity.

Ben Jonson

Weigh the meaning and look not at the words.

Ben Jonson

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

Ben Jonson

Vice Is like a fury to the vicious mind, And turns delight itself to punishment.

Ben Jonson

Let them call it mischief: When it is past and prospered t’will be virtue.

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

Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup And I’ll not look for wine.

Ben Jonson

Language most shows a man, speak that I may see thee.

Ben Jonson

In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be.

Ben Jonson

Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need.

Ben Jonson

And though thou hadst small Latin, and less Greek.

Ben Jonson

Art hath an enemy called Ignorance.

Ben Jonson

Fortune, that favors fools.

Ben Jonson

Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times.

Ben Jonson

He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.

Ben Jonson

He threatens many that hath injured one.

Ben Jonson

Honor’s a good brooch to wear in a man’s hat at all times.

Ben Jonson

A woman, the more curious she is about her face, is commonly the more careless about her house.

Ben Jonson

I do honour the very flea of his dog.

Ben Jonson

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

Ben Jonson

Apes are apes, though clothed in scarlet.

Ben Jonson

Ill fortune never crushed that man whom good fortune deceived not.

Ben Jonson