Benjamin Jonson, 1572 - 1637
Early 19th century copy of original portrait by Abraham van Blyenberch, ca. 1617
Born: 11 June 1572, Westminster, London, England, UK
Died: 6 August 1637, Westminster, London, England, UK
Jonson's father, a clergyman, died before Ben was born and his mother married a bricklayer. He was educated at a school in St Martin's Lane and was sent to Westminster School where he was taught by William Camden. Jonson went "into trade", presumably laying brick, but soon departed for a life as a soldier in Flanders. He returned to England about 1592, married in 1594, and joined the "Lord Admiral's Men," Philip Henslowe's acting company in London and soon was writing original plays. Unlike Shakespeare, with whom Jonson had both a friendship and rivalry, Jonson's plays several times landed him in jail, and his situation rose and fell with his reputation at court. He suffered a severe stroke in 1628 and was housebound until his death.
Biography from Wikipedia and Luminarium
Additional quotes from Wikiquote. Wikiquote entries are often "sourced" and may include items longer than those included here, particularly for poets, lyricists, and dramatists.
Ben Jonson quotes:
Quotes found : 49 — (15 per page, this is page 1 of 4) 1 2 3 4 Next
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- A good life is a main argument. permalink
Ben Jonson - A prince without letters is a pilot without eyes. All his government is groping. permalink
Ben Jonson - Illiteratus Preceps - A woman is most merciless when shame goads on her hate. permalink
Ben Jonson - Every Man in his Humour (1598) - A woman, the more curious she is about her face, is commonly the more careless about her house. permalink
Ben Jonson - Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need. permalink
Ben Jonson - Apes are apes though clothed in scarlet. permalink
Ben Jonson - Art hath an enemy called Ignorance. permalink
Ben Jonson - Every Man out of His Humour (1598) - Bad men excuse their faults, good men will leave them. permalink
Ben Jonson - Catiline (1611) - Calumnies are answered best with silence. permalink
Ben Jonson - Volpone (1606) - Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup
And I'll not look for wine. permalink
Ben Jonson - Drink today, and drown all sorrow;
You shall perhaps not do it tomorrow;
Best, while you have it, use your breath;
There is no drinking after death. permalink
Ben Jonson - Folly often goes beyond her bounds; but Impudence knows none. permalink
Ben Jonson - For he that once is good, is ever great. permalink
Ben Jonson - For he that was only taught by himself had a fool to his master. permalink
Ben Jonson - Frugality is the mother of all virtues. permalink
Ben Jonson - Every Man in his Humour (1598)
Quotes found : 49 — (15 per page, this is page 1 of 4) 1 2 3 4 Next
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