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
Each petty hand Can steer a ship becalm'd; but he that will Govern and carry her to her ends, must know His tides, his currents, how to shift his sails; What she will bear in foul, what in fair weathers; Where her springs are, her leaks, and how to stop 'em; What strands, what shelves, what rocks do threaten her.
Language most shows a man; speak that I may see thee; it springs out of the most retired and inmost parts of us, and is the image of the parent of it, the mind. No glass renders a man's form or likeness so true as his speech.
Twas only fear first in the world made gods.
I have betrayed myself with my own tongue; The case is altered
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.
I have a humour, / I would not willingly be gulled.
I have been at my book, and am now past the craggy paths of study, and come to the flowery plains of honour and reputation.
She is Venus when she smiles; / But she's Juno when she walks, / And Minerva when she talks.
Peace is never more than one thought away.
A good dog deserves a good bone.
... the best pilots have need of mariners, besides sails, anchor and other tackle.
True melancholy breeds your perfect fine wit.
It is less dishonor to hear imperfectly than to speak imperfectly. The ears are excused; the understanding is not.
Your highest female grace is silence.