There is an inimitable grace in Virgil's words, and in them principally consists that beauty which gives so inexpressible a pleasure to him who best understands their force. This diction of his, I must once again say, is never to be copied; and since it cannot, he will appear but lame in the best translation.

John Dryden

Categorized in : Giving Grace Diction

For they can conquer who believe they can.

John Dryden

confidence literature believe

We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.

John Dryden

motivational inspirational character

The sooner you treat your son as a man, the sooner he will be one.

John Dryden

birthday men son

Confidence is the feeling we have before knowing all the facts

John Dryden

confidence knowing feelings

He who trusts secrets to a servant makes him his master

John Dryden

keeping-secrets confidence trust

War seldom enters but where wealth allures.

John Dryden

allure wealth war

Old age creeps on us ere we think it nigh.

John Dryden

creeps age thinking

A good conscience is a port which is landlocked on every side, where no winds can possibly invade. There a man may not only see his own image, but that of his Maker, clearly reflected from the undisturbed waters.

John Dryden

wind water men

Beware the fury of a patient man.

John Dryden

christian wise inspirational

Let grace and goodness be the principal loadstone of thy affections. For love which hath ends, will have an end; whereas that which is founded on true virtue, will always continue.

John Dryden

grace literature love

He look'd in years, yet in his years were seen A youthful vigor, and autumnal green.

John Dryden

vigor looks years

I am as free as nature first made man,

John Dryden

freedom law men

I'm a little wounded, but I am not slain; I will lay me down to bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again.

John Dryden

fighting determination littles

Love works a different way in different minds, the fool it enlightens and the wise it blinds.

John Dryden

wise mind love

When a man's life is under debate,

John Dryden

judging men long

For truth has such a face and such a mien, as to be loved needs only to be seen.

John Dryden

literature truth needs

Those who write ill, and they who ne'er durst write,

John Dryden

spite revenge writing

When I consider life, 'tis all a cheat;

John Dryden

men life thinking

Riches cannot rescue from the grave, which claims alike the monarch and the slave.

John Dryden

riches slave claims

Nor is the people's judgment always true: the most may err as grossly as the few.

John Dryden

democracies-have freedom people