--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If men will impartially, and not asquint…" description: "\"If men will impartially, and not asquint, look toward the offices and function of a poet, they will easily conclude to themselves the impossibility of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/ben-jonson-1371_firsts_if-men-will-impartially-and-not-asquint_2008891.png" --- # If men will impartially, and not asquint, look toward the… ![“If men will impartially, and not asquint, look toward the offices and function of a poet, they will easily conclude to themselves the impossibility of any man's being a good poet without first being a good man.” quote by Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/ben-jonson-1371_firsts_if-men-will-impartially-and-not-asquint_2008891.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/ben-jonson-1371_firsts_if-men-will-impartially-and-not-asquint_2008891.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d9/ben-jonson-1371_firsts_if-men-will-impartially-and-not-asquint_2008891.png) > “If men will impartially, and not asquint, look toward the offices and function of a poet, they will easily conclude to themselves the impossibility of any man's being a good poet without first being a good man.” [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A poet must first be a good person; moral character underpins artistic integrity. **In simple terms:** Goodness precedes poetic skill. Key Takeaway Cultivate virtue before seeking fame. Themes ethics art character integrity Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - creative writing - education - mentor guidance - personal development Key Concepts literature philosophy humanism Questions to Reflect On - Is moral goodness essential for art? - Can a bad person create lasting poetry? A Different Perspective Great art can arise from flawed individuals, but lasting impact needs virtue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Good Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-poet-583647/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Impartially](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impartially-2680065/) [Impossibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossibility/) [Impossibility Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossibility-man-1812788/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Impartially](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-impartially-3576859/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poet Easily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet-easily-3576860/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) ## Related quotes > [It is a natural impossibility for any man to make a binding contract, by which he shall surrender to others a single one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/it-is-a-natural-impossibility-for-any-man-to-make-a-binding-contract/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [The impossibility of man is the possibility of God and the impossibility of animals is the possibility of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-junior-appiu/the-impossibility-of-man-is-the-possibility-of-god-and-the/) [George Junior Appiu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-junior-appiu/) > [A good poet's made as well as born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/a-good-poet-s-made-as-well-as-born/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [“There's no need to kick him in the balls for him to tell the story honestly and impartially, because the dead are usually honest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-blasim/there-s-no-need-to-kick-him-in-the-balls-for-him-to-tell-the-story/) [Hassan Blasim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-blasim/) > [I say that you cannot administer a wicked law impartially. 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