Quotes by John Dryden

About John Dryden:

John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made Poet Laureate in 1668.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Better to hunt in fields, for health unbought, Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. The wise, for cure, on exercise depend; God never made his work for man to mend.

John Dryden

Thus like a Captive in an Isle confin'd, Man walks at large, a Pris'ner of the Mind

John Dryden

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

John Dryden

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.

John Dryden

Successful crimes alone are justified.

John Dryden

The intoxication of anger, like that of the grape, shows us to others, but hides us from ourselves.

John Dryden

Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.

John Dryden

But far more numerous was the herd of such, Who think too little, and who talk too much.

John Dryden

Great wits are to madness near allied And thin partitions do their bounds divide.

John Dryden

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.

John Dryden

Surely only boring people went in for conversations consisting of questions and answers. The art of true conversation consisted in the play of minds.

John Dryden

Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; He who would search for pearls, must dive below.

John Dryden

Welcome, thou kind deceiver! Thou best of thieves: who, with an easy key, Dost open life, and, unperceived by us, Even steal us from ourselves.

John Dryden

When I consider Life, 'tis all a cheat; Yet, fooled 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...

John Dryden

For you may palm upon us new for old: All, as they say, that glitters, is not gold.

John Dryden

If others in the same Glass better see 'Tis for Themselves they look, but not for me: For my Salvation must its Doom receive Not from what others, but what I believe.

John Dryden

Whatever is, is in its causes just; But purblind man Sees but a part o' th' chain; the nearest link; His eyes not carrying to that equal beam That poises all above.

John Dryden

Forgiveness to the injured does belong; but they ne'er pardon who have done wrong.

John Dryden

Beauty, like ice, our footing does betray; Who can tread sure on the smooth, slippery way: Pleased with the surface, we glide swiftly on, And see the dangers that we cannot shun.

John Dryden

Words are but pictures of our thoughts.

John Dryden

Author Bio

  • NameJohn Dryden
  • DescriptionEnglish playwright of the XVIIth century
  • BornAugust 19, 1631
  • DiedMay 12, 1700
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionPlaywright; Translator; Poet; Writer