Quote #49
The players often mentioned it as an honour to Shakespeare, that in his writing, whatsoever he penned, he never blotted out a line. My answer hath been, 'Would he had blotted a thousand.'
More from Ben Jonson
- It is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.
- I loved the man [Shakespeare] and do honor his memory, on this side idolatry, as much as any.
- Folly often goes beyond her bounds; but Impudence knows none.
- They say princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as…
- A cripple in the way out-travels a footman or a post out of the way.
- Greatness of name in the father oft-times overwhelms the son; they stand too near one another. The shadow kills the growth: so much, that w…
- It is as great a spite to be praised in the wrong place, and by a wrong person, as can be done to a noble nature.
- Though the most be players, some must be spectators.