Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson
Benjamin "Ben" Jonsonwas an English playwright, poet, actor and literary critic of the 17th century, whose artistry exerted a lasting impact upon English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours. He is best known for the satirical plays Every Man in His Humour, Volpone, or The Foxe, The Alchemistand Bartholomew Fayre: A Comedyand for his lyric poetry; he is generally regarded as the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth11 June 1572
A good poet's made as well as born.
The man that is once hated, both his good and his evil deeds oppress him.
I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence.
Nor use too swelling, or ill-sounded words . . . .
A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night, It was the plant and flower of light. In small proportions we just beauties see, And in short measures life may perfect be.
It is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.
What excellent fools religion makes of men.
Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect thing.
Language most shows a man, speak that I may see thee.
Art hath an enemy call'd ignorance .
Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace Robes loosely flowing, hair as free Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
Force works on servile natures, not the free.
I am now past the craggy paths of study, and come to the flowery plains of honor and reputation.
The burnt child dreads the fire.