John Dryden Quotes

Youth, beauty, graceful action seldom fail,
But common interest always will prevail.

His hair just grizzled,
As in a green old age.

Man, like the vine, supported lives;
His strength comes from the embrace he gives.

None are so busy as the fool and knave.

Must I at length the Sword of Justice draw?
Oh curst Effects of necessary Law!
How ill my Fear they by my Mercy scan,
Beware the Fury of a Patient Man.

Reason to rule, mercy to forgive:
The first is law, the last prerogative.

When I consider life, 't is all a cheat.
Yet fool'd with hope, men favour the deceit;
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 some new joys, cuts off what we possest.
Strange cozenage! none would live past years again,
Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain;
And from the dregs of life think to receive
What the first sprightly running could not give.

The gates of Hell are open night and day Smooth the descent, and easy is the way But, to
return, and view the cheerful skies In this, the task and mighty labor lies.

T' abhor the makers, and their laws approve,
Is to hate traitors and the treason love.

Whate’er he did, was done with so much ease,
In him alone 'twas natural to please.

The trumpet's loud clangor
Excites us to arms.

Art may err, but Nature cannot miss.

An horrid stillness first invades the ear,
And in that silence we the tempest fear.

War seldom enters but where wealth allures.

Boldness is a mask for fear, however great.