They, who would combat general authority with particular opinion, must first establish themselves a reputation of understanding better than other men. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Reason to rule, mercy to forgive: The first is law, the last prerogative. Life is an adventure in forgiveness. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
I am resolved to grow fat and look young till forty, and then slip out of the world with the first wrinkle… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
For those whom God to ruin has design'd, He fits for fate, and first destroys their mind. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well; the chiefest part of which is… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
None would live past years again, Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain; And, from the dregs of life, think to… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Thou spring'st a leak already in thy crown, A flaw is in thy ill-bak'd vessel found; 'Tis hollow, and returns a jarring… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
By viewing nature, nature's handmaid art, Makes mighty things from small beginnings grow: Thus fishes first to shipping did impart, Their tail… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
A woman's counsel brought us first to woe, And made her man his paradise forego, Where at heart's ease he liv'd; and… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
For thee, sweet month; the groves green liveries wear. If not the first, the fairest of the year; For thee the Graces… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Bacchus ever fair and young, Drinking joys did first ordain. Bachus's blessings are a treasure, Drinking is the soldier's pleasure, Rich the… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Moderate sorrow Fits vulgar love, and for a vulgar man: But I have lov'd with such transcendent passion, I soar'd, at first,… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Bets at first were fool-traps, where the wise like spiders lay in ambush for the flies. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Fame then was cheap, and the first comer sped; And they have kept it since by being dead. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
An horrible stillness first invades our ear, And in that silence we the tempest fear. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Revealed religion first informed thy sight, and reason saw not till faith sprung to light. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Ah, how sweet it is to love! Ah, how gay is young Desire! And what pleasing pains we prove When we first… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
I am as free as nature first made man, Ere the base laws of servitude began, When wild in woods the noble… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Three poets, in three distant ages born, Greece, Italy, and England did adorn. The first in loftiness of thought surpass'd; The next,… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
When I consider life, 't is all a cheat. Yet fool'd with hope, men favour the deceit; Trust on, and think to-morrow… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Trust on and think To-morrow will repay; To-morrow's falser than the former day; Lies worse; and while it says, we shall be blest With… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
To take up half on trust, and half to try, Name it not faith but bungling bigotry. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
And after hearing what our Church can say, If still our reason runs another way, That private reason 'tis more just to curb, Than… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
A coward is the kindest animal; 'Tis the most forgiving creature in a fight. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Reason to rule, mercy to forgive: The first is law, the last prerogative. Life is an adventure in forgiveness. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
He with a graceful pride, While his rider every hand survey'd, Sprung loose, and flew into an escapade; Not moving forward, yet with every… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Men's virtues I have commended as freely as I have taxed their crimes. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
