Since a true knowledge of nature gives us pleasure, a lively imitation of it, either in poetry or painting, must produce a… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Mankind is ever the same, and nothing lost out of nature, though everything is altered. — 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
When we view elevated ideas of Nature, the result of that view is admiration, which is always the cause of pleasure. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Is it not evident, in these last hundred years (when the Study of Philosophy has been the business of all the Virtuosi… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
He was the man who of all modern, and perhaps ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul. . . .… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Calms appear, when Storms are past; Love will have his Hour at last: Nature is my kindly Care; Mars destroys, and I… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
As when the dove returning bore the mark Of earth restored to the long labouring ark; The relics of mankind, secure at… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
That, if the Gentiles, (whom no Law inspir'd,) By Nature did what was by Law requir'd; They, who the written Rule and… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Chaucer followed Nature everywhere, but was never so bold to go beyond her. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Shakespeare was naturally learned; he needed not the spectacles of the books to read nature; he looked inward, and found her there. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Nature meant me A wife, a silly, harmless, household dove, Fond without art, and kind without deceit. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
By viewing Nature, Nature's handmaid, art, makes mighty things from small beginnings grow. — 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
Government itself at length must fall To nature's state, where all have right to all. — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Good sense and good-nature are never separated, though the ignorant world has thought otherwise. Good-nature, by which I mean beneficence and candor,… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
From harmony, from heavenly harmony, This universal frame began: When nature underneath a heap Of jarring atoms lay, And could not heave… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
But when to sin our biased nature leans, The careful Devil is still at hand with means; And providently pimps for ill… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Yet, sprung from high, is of celestial seed: In God 'tisglory; and when men… — John Dryden Copy Share Image
He [Shakespeare] was the man who of all modern, and perhaps ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul . .… — 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