Nor is the people's judgment always true: the most may err as grossly as the few. John Dryden More Quotes by John Dryden More Quotes From John Dryden Our vows are heard betimes! and Heaven takes care To grant, before we can conclude the prayer: Preventing angels met it half the way, And sent us back to praise, who came to pray. John Dryden angel prayer heaven An horrible stillness first invades our ear, And in that silence we the tempest fear. John Dryden silence ears fear I strongly wish for what I faintly hope; like the daydreams of melancholy men, I think and think in things impossible, yet love to wander in that golden maze. John Dryden wish men thinking He made all countries where he came his own. John Dryden country-love made country But Shakespeare's magic could not copied be; Within that circle none durst walk but he. John Dryden magic circles walks Nothing to build, and all things to destroy. John Dryden zeal all-things For what can power give more than food and drink, To live at ease, and not be bound to think? John Dryden ease giving thinking Youth should watch joys and shoot them as they fly. John Dryden youth joy watches Desire of greatness is a godlike sin. John Dryden greatness sin desire To die for faction is a common evil, But to be hanged for nonsense is the devil. John Dryden nonsense evil common I am devilishly afraid, that's certain; but ... I'll sing, that I may seem valiant. John Dryden valiant evil may Since a true knowledge of nature gives us pleasure, a lively imitation of it, either in poetry or painting, must produce a much greater; for both these arts are not only true imitations of nature, but of the best nature. John Dryden painting giving art From harmony, from heavenly harmony, This universal frame began: When nature underneath a heap Of jarring atoms lay, And could not heave her head, The tuneful voice was heard from high, 'Arise, ye more than dead!' Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry, In order to their stations leap, And Music's power obey. From harmony, from heavenly harmony, This universal frame began: From harmony to harmony Through all the compass of the notes it ran, The diapason closing full in Man. John Dryden voice men order Griefs assured are felt before they come. John Dryden assured felt grief Fortune confounds the wise, John Dryden dice wise fortune What I have left is from my native spring; I've still a heart that swells, in scorn of fate, And lifts me to my banks. John Dryden fate heart spring 'Tis a good thing to laugh at any rate; and if a straw can tickle a man, it is an instrument of happiness. John Dryden laughter humorous funny Content with poverty, my soul I arm; And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm. John Dryden rags arms soul A man is to be cheated into passion, but to be reasoned into truth. John Dryden cheated passion men The winds that never moderation knew, John Dryden blow joy wind
