Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Ben Jonson (English Dramatist)

Benjamin Jonson (1572–1637) was a British actor, poet, playwright, scholar, critic, and translator. In a literary career of more than 40 years (twice as long as his friend Shakespeare’s) that produced over 60 plays, Jonson was influential in Elizabethan and Stuart drama. Known for his biting social satire, brilliant plotting, a span of social panorama, and original language, Jonson is reckoned as one of English literature’s fountainhead figures.

Jonson was born in London. His formal education ended prematurely. Jonson was raised near Westminster Abbey, where he enrolled at the abbey’s celebrated Westminster School. It was here in annual performances mounted by the school’s scholars that he got introduced to drama.

Rather than going to college, Jonson apprenticed as a bricklayer, becoming a journeyman by 1598. He fought as a volunteer foot soldier against the Spanish in the Netherlands and began his career as a playwright after first acting in one of London’s theater companies.

Jonson’s first drama was The Case Is Altered (1598,) a comedy derived from two plays by the Roman playwright Plautus. It was followed by Everyman in His Humour (1598) and Everyman out of His Humour (1599,) performed by Shakespeare’s drama company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which established Jonson as an emerging playwright.

Jonson’s undisputed masterpiece, Volpone (1606,) was performed to great acclaim at London’s Globe Theatre. His other notable works include The Alchemist (1610,) Bartholomew Fair (1614,) and The Devil Is an Ass (1616.) The Alchemist, more than any other of his dramas, established a new standard of dramatic construction and a realistic approach and subject for the theater.

Jonson was most admired for his comedies with contemporaneous audiences. He also wrote a series of court masques, which were simple plays in which the court’s lords and ladies acted. Even with his working-class background, Jonson showed a remarkable appreciation for the power of books and of print. His plays are full of erudite references, drawn from what must have been a substantial personal library.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Ben Jonson

The covetous man never has money; the prodigal will have none shortly.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Accomplishment, Money

Weigh the meaning and look not at the words.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Words

Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Ambition

Great honours are great burdens, but on whom They are cast with envy, he doth bear two loads. His cares must still be double to his joys, In any dignity.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Honor

Very few men are wise by their own counsel, or learned by their own teaching; for he that was only taught by himself had a fool as his master.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Role models, Vision, Perception, Wisdom

All concord’s born of contraries.
—Ben Jonson

Vice is like a fury to the vicious mind, And turns delight itself to punishment.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Vice

Let those that merely talk and never think, That live in the wild anarchy of drink.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Drinking

In sovereignty it is a most happy thing not to be compelled, but so it is a most miserable thing not to be counselled.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Kings

True friendship consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Happiness, Friendship, Feelings

Who falls for the love of God, shall rise a star.
—Ben Jonson

Leave but a kiss in the cup, and I’ll not look for wine.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Kiss, Kisses

No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Advice

A soft lip would tempt you to eternity of kissing.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Kisses

Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup And I will not look for wine.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Wine

There is no greater hell than to be a prisoner of fear.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Hell

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
Topics: Horses

I am grieved that it should be said he is my brother, and take these courses. Well, as he brews, so shall he drink, for George again. Yet he shall hear on’t, and tightly, too, an’ I live, i’faith.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Drinking

The soul of man is infinite in what it covets.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Desire

Success produces confidence; confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Success

To struggle when hope is banished.
To live when life’s salt is gone!
To dwell in a dream that’s vanished –
To endure, and go calmly on.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Resolve, Perseverance, Endurance

Guilt’s a terrible thing.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Guilt

Talking and eloquence are not the same.—To speak and to speak well are two things.—A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Speakers, Eloquence, Speaking, Communication

Blueness doth express trueness.
—Ben Jonson

If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Disease, Sickness

When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Honor

They that know no evil will suspect none.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Evil, Innocence

Art hath an enemy called ignorance.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Artists, Enemy, Art, Arts

Envy sets the stronger seal on desert; if he have no enemies, I should esteem his fortune most wretched.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Envy

Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant; and of all tame, from a flatterer.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Flattery

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