Quotes by Dryden, John

Men are but children of a larger growth, Our appetites as apt to change as theirs, And full as craving too, and full as vain.

More quotes about Adulthood

Fool that I was, upon my eagle's wings I bore this wren, till I was tired with soaring, and now he mounts above me.

More quotes about Aid and Assistance

Only man clogs his happiness with care, destroying what is, with thoughts of what may be.

More quotes about Anxiety

Drinking is the soldier's pleasure.

More quotes about Army and Navy

Fortune befriends the bold.

More quotes about Boldness

For they conquer who believe they can.

More quotes about Confidence

For all have not the gift of martyrdom.

More quotes about Conformity

Roused by the lash of his own stubborn tail our lion now will foreign foes assail.

More quotes about Conquest

Happy the man, and happy he alone, he who can call today his own; he who, secure within, can say, tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.

More quotes about Contentment

Successful crimes alone are justified.

More quotes about Crime and Criminals

All human things are subject to decay, and when fate summons, monarchs must obey.

More quotes about Death and Dying

He was exhaled; his great Creator drew His spirit, as the sun the morning dew.

More quotes about Death and Dying

Like pilgrims to the appointed place we tend; The world's an inn, and death the journey's end.

More quotes about Death and Dying

To die is landing on some distant shore.

More quotes about Death and Dying

Be slow to resolve, but quick in performance.

More quotes about Decisions

Self-defense is Nature's eldest law.

More quotes about Defense

Nor is the people's judgment always true: the most may err as grossly as the few.

More quotes about Democracy

Since every man who lives is born to die, and none can boast sincere felicity, with equal mind, what happens, let us bear, nor joy nor grieve too much for things beyond our care.

More quotes about Endurance

Railing and praising were his usual themes; and both showed his judgment in extremes. Either over violent or over civil, so everyone to him was either god or devil.

More quotes about Extremes and Extremists

So over violent, or over civil that every man with him was God or Devil.

More quotes about Extremes and Extremists

All objects lose by too familiar a view.

More quotes about Familiarity

All things are subject to decay and when fate summons, monarchs must obey.

More quotes about Fate

Seek not to know what must not be reveal, for joy only flows where fate is most concealed. A busy person would find their sorrows much more; if future fortunes were known before!

More quotes about Fate

He has not learned the first lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.

More quotes about Fear

It is madness to make fortune the mistress of events, because by herself she is nothing and is ruled by prudence.

More quotes about Fortune

Genius must be born, and never can be taught.

More quotes about Genius

Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide.

More quotes about Genius

Time, place, and action may with pains be wrought, but genius must be born; and never can be taught.

More quotes about Genius

We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.

More quotes about Habit

Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.

More quotes about Habit

Woman's honor is nice as ermine; it will not bear a soil.

More quotes about Honor

All heiresses are beautiful.

More quotes about Inheritance

Jealousy is the jaundice of the soul.

More quotes about Jealousy

For present joys are more to flesh and blood than a dull prospect of a distant good.

More quotes about Joy

Kings fight for empires, madmen for applause.

More quotes about Kings

When I consider life, it is all a cheat. Yet fooled with hope, people favor this deceit.

More quotes about Life and Living

Love works a different way in different minds, the fool it enlightens and the wise it blinds.

More quotes about Love

Love is love's reward.

More quotes about Love

Love is not in our choice but in our fate.

More quotes about Love

Go miser go, for money sell your soul. Trade wares for wares and trudge from pole to pole, So others may say when you are dead and gone. See what a vast estate he left his son.

More quotes about Misers and Misery

Thou strong seducer, Opportunity!

More quotes about Opportunity

Pains of love be sweeter far than all the other pleasures are.

More quotes about Pain

The sooner you treat your son as a man, the sooner he will be one.

More quotes about Parents and Parenting

Beware the fury of a patient man.

More quotes about Patience

Never was patriot yet, but was a fool.

More quotes about Patriotism

He invades authors like a monarch; and what would be theft in other poets is only victory in him.

More quotes about Plagiarism

Resolved to ruin or to rule the state.

More quotes about Politicians and Politics

Mighty things from small beginnings grow.

More quotes about Power

He who would search for pearls must dive below.

More quotes about Price

Reason is a crutch for age, but youth is strong enough to walk alone.

More quotes about Reason

Repentance is but want of power to sin.

More quotes about Repentance

Plots, true or false, are necessary things, to raise up commonwealths, and ruin kings.

More quotes about Revolutions and Revolutionaries

Not to ask is not be denied.

More quotes about Silence

She feared no danger, for she knew no sin.

More quotes about Sin

Far more numerous are those as such; who think to little and talk to much.

More quotes about Thoughts and Thinking

Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you don't let other people spend it for you.

More quotes about Time and Time Management

Tomorrow do thy worst, I have lived today.

More quotes about Tomorrow

He who trusts secrets to a servant makes him his master.

More quotes about Trust

Look around the inhabited world; how few know their own good, or knowing it, pursue.

More quotes about Vocation

War is the trade of Kings.

More quotes about War

War, he sung, is toil and trouble; Honor but an empty bubble.

More quotes about War

Nature meant me a wife, a silly harmless household Dove, fond without art; and kind without deceit.

More quotes about Wives