John Denham Quotes

John Denham's plain-spoken, argumentative musings on character and translation invite thoughtful reflection.

22 quotes

1. Actions o' th' last age are like almanacks o' th' last year.

2. Ambition is like love, impatient Both of delays and rivals.

3. Such is our pride, our folly, or our fate, That few but such as cannot write, translate.

4. Nor ought a genius less than his that writ Attempt translation.

5. Books should to one of these four ends conduce, For wisdom, piety, delight, or use.

6. Youth, what man's age is like to be doth show, We may our ends by our beginnings know.

7. Search not to find what lies too deeply hid, Nor to know things, whose knowledge is forbid.

8. Though with those streams he no resemblance hold, Whose foam is amber and their gravel gold; His genuine and less guilty wealth t' explore, Search not his bottom, but survey his shore.

9. Oh, could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull; Strong without rage; without o'erflowing, full.

10. But whither am I strayed? I need not raise Trophies to thee from other men's dispraise; Nor is thy fame on lesser ruins built; Nor needs thy juster title the foul guilt Of Eastern kings, who, to secure their reign, Must have their brothers, sons, and kindred slain.

11. We're ne'er like angels till our passion dies.

12. Uncertain ways unsafest are, and doubt a greater mischief than despair.

13. The man who first abused his fellows with swear-words instead of bashing their brains out with a club should be counted among those who laid the foundations of civilization.

14. It is no exaggeration to say that Israeli policy in the occupied territories is not simply a matter of foreign policy - it is a matter for British domestic security policy too.

15. Who fears not to do ill fears the name, And free from conscience, is a slave to fame.

16. Whatsoever is worthy of their love is worth their anger.

17. Books should to one of these fours ends conduce, for wisdom, piety, delight, or use.

18. When any great design thou dost intend, Think on the means, the manner, and the end.

19. You prove but too clearly that seeking to know Is too frequently learning to doubt.

20. Poetry is of so subtle a spirit, that in the pouring out of one language into another it will evaporate.

21. Learn to live well, that thou may'st die so too; To live and die is all we have to do.

22. Tis the most certain sign, the world's accurst That the best things corrupted, are the worst; 'Twas the corrupted Light of knowledge, hurl'd Sin, Death, and Ignorance o'er all the world; That Sun like this (from which our sight we have) Gaz'd on too long, resumes the light he gave.