Blueness doth express trueness.
—Ben Jonson
Cares that have entered once in the breast, will have whole possession of the rest.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Anxiety, Worry
The covetous man never has money; the prodigal will have none shortly.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Accomplishment, Money
Fear to do base and unworthy things is valor; if they be done to us, to suffer them is also valor.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Valor
Let them call it mischief; when it’s past and prospered, it will be virtue.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Success, Revolution
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
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: Eloquence, Speakers, Communication, Speaking
Envy sets the stronger seal on desert; if he have no enemies, I should esteem his fortune most wretched.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Envy
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: Perception, Wisdom, Vision, Role models
There is no greater hell than to be a prisoner of fear.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Hell
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: Endurance, Resolve, Perseverance
Language most shows a man; speak that I may see thee; it springs out of the most retired and inmost part of us.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Language
He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Adversity, Difficulties, Strength
‘Tis the common disease of all your musicians that they know no mean, to be entreated, either to begin or end.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Music
I’ll give anything for a good copy now, be it true or false, so it be news.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: News
Vice is like a fury to the vicious mind, And turns delight itself to punishment.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Vice
Bad men excuse their faults; good men will leave them.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Excuses, Faults
Be not ashamed of thy virtues; honor’s a good brooch to wear in a man’s hat at all times.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Honor
Silence in woman is like speech in men; deny it who can.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Silence
I am beholden to calumny, that she hath so endeavored to belie me.—It shall make me set a surer guard on myself, and keep a better watch upon my actions.
—Ben Jonson
If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Disease, Sickness
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
In small proportions we just beauties see,
And in short measures life may perfect be.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Life
What a deal of cold business doth a man misspend the better part of life in! In scattering compliments, tendering visits, gathering and venting news, following feasts and plays, making a little winter-love in a dark corner.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Man
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
Men might go to heaven with half the labor they put forth to go to hell, if they would but venture their industry in the right way.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Hell
Who falls for the love of God, shall rise a star.
—Ben Jonson
A secret in his mouth is like a wild bird put into a cage; whose door no sooner opens, but it is out.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Secrecy
All concord’s born of contraries.
—Ben Jonson
Talking is the disease of age.
—Ben Jonson
Topics: Age, Aging
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
John Webster English Dramatist
John Gay English Poet, Dramatist
Francis Beaumont English Playwright
Philip Massinger English Playwright
John Lyly English Dramatist, Author
W. S. Gilbert English Dramatist
William Wycherley English Dramatist
Arthur Wing Pinero English Playwright
Arthur Helps British Essayist, Historian
Douglas William Jerrold English Dramatist