Resolved to ruin or to rule the state. John Dryden More Quotes by John Dryden More Quotes From John Dryden But 'tis the talent of our English nation, Still to be plotting some new reformation. John Dryden reformation talent stills Music is inarticulate poesy. John Dryden inarticulate music-is music Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well; the chiefest part of which is to observe those excellencies which delight a reasonable reader. John Dryden delight criticism judging The gods, (if gods to goodness are inclined If acts of mercy touch their heavenly mind), And, more than all the gods, your generous heart, Conscious of worth, requite its own desert! John Dryden desert mind heart The wretched have no friends. John Dryden wretched no-friends friends But when to sin our biased nature leans, The careful Devil is still at hand with means; And providently pimps for ill desires. John Dryden pimp mean hands Virgil is so exact in every word, that none can be changed but for a worse; nor any one removed from its place, but the harmony will be altered. He pretends sometimes to trip; but it is only to make you think him in danger of a fall, when he is most secure. John Dryden make-you-think fall thinking 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. John Dryden cutting lying thinking We can never be grieved for their miseries who are thoroughly wicked, and have thereby justly called their calamities on themselves. John Dryden wickedness misery wicked Wit will shine Through the harsh cadence of a rugged line. John Dryden cadence lines shining Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long. John Dryden wit long With how much ease believe we what we wish! John Dryden wish ease believe Chaucer followed Nature everywhere, but was never so bold to go beyond her. John Dryden chaucer nature The blushing beauties of a modest maid. John Dryden blushing maids modest Not Heav'n itself upon the past has pow'r; But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour. John Dryden pow hours past Men met each other with erected look, The steps were higher that they took; Friends to congratulate their friends made haste, And long inveterate foes saluted as they pass'd. John Dryden friendship men long Bankrupt of life, yet prodigal of ease. John Dryden prodigals ease life Of no distemper, of no blast he died, John Dryden autumn fate life I trade both with the living and the dead, for the enrichment of our native language. John Dryden native-language trade life But wild Ambition loves to slide, not stand, And Fortune's ice prefers to Virtue's land. John Dryden ice ambition love
