John Dryden
John Dryden
John Drydenwas an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668...
leaving excellence criticism
Criticism is now become mere hangman's work, and meddles only with the faults of authors ; nay, the critic is disgusted less with their absurdities than excellence ; and you cannot displease him more than in leaving him little room for his malice.
freedom firsts delight
O freedom, first delight of human kind!
men understanding firsts
They, who would combat general authority with particular opinion, must first establish themselves a reputation of understanding better than other men.
looks fats young
I am resolved to grow fat, and look young till forty.
long earth guests
As when the dove returning bore the mark Of earth restored to the long labouring ark; The relics of mankind, secure at rest, Oped every window to receive the guest, And the fair bearer of the message bless'd.
father writing patterns
Shakespeare was the Homer, or father of our dramatic poets;Jonson was theVirgil, the pattern of elaborate writing; I admire him, but I love Shakespeare.
laughter humorous men
'Tis a good thing to laugh at any rate; and if a straw can tickle a man, it is an instrument of happiness.
beautiful latin expression
It is almost impossible to translate verbally and well at the same time; for the Latin (a most severe and compendious language) often expresses that in one word which either the barbarity or the narrowness of modern tongues cannot supply in more. ...But since every language is so full of its own proprieties that what is beautiful in one is often barbarous, nay, sometimes nonsense, in another, it would be unreasonable to limit a translator to the narrow compass of his author's words; it is enough if he choose out some expression which does not vitiate the sense.
men levels needs
For danger levels man and brute And all are fellows in their need.
rocks sculpture natural
Sculptors are obliged to follow the manners of the painters, and to make many ample folds, which are unsufferable hardness, and more like a rock than a natural garment.
funny humor successful
Successful crimes alone are justified.