John Dryden quotes - page 10

John Dryden was an English poet, playwright, and literary critic who became one of the most influential figures of Restoration literature. His works shaped English drama and poetry, setting high standards for literary excellence. He remains renowned for his wit, satirical verse, and critical essays. Here are 316 of his quotes:

Love reckons hours for months, and days for years And every little absence is an age. (John Dryden)
Self-defence is Nature's eldest law. View quote
John Dryden
Oh that my Pow'r to Saving were confin'd: Why am I forc'd, like Heav'n, against my mind, To make Examples of another Kind? View quote
John Dryden
Those who accuse him to have wanted learning, give him the greater commendation: he was naturally learn'd; he needed not the spectacles of Books to read Nature; he look'd inwards, and found her there. View quote
John Dryden
Let those find fault whose wit's so very small, They've need to show that they can think at all; Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; He who would search for pearls, must dive below. View quote
John Dryden
A narrow mind begets obstinacy we do not easily believe what we cannot see. View quote
John Dryden
There's a proud modesty in merit averse from asking, and resolved to pay ten times the gifts it asks. View quote
John Dryden
How blessed is he, who leads a country life, Unvexd with anxious cares, and void of strife Who studying peace, and shunning civil rage, Enjoyd his youth, and now enjoys his age All who deserve his love, he makes his own And, to be lovd himself, needs only to be known. View quote
John Dryden
The conscience of a people is their power. View quote
John Dryden
They think too little who talk too much. View quote
John Dryden
To begin then with Shakespeare; he was the man who of all Modern, and perhaps Ancient Poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul. (John Dryden)
The trumpet shall be heard on high, The dead shall live, the living die, And musick shall untune the Sky. View quote
John Dryden
How easie is it to call Rogue and Villain, and that wittily! But how hard to make a Man appear a Fool, a Blockhead, or a Knave, without using any of those opprobrious terms! View quote
John Dryden
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. View quote
John Dryden
The wise, for cure, on exercise depend; God never made his work for man to mend. View quote
John Dryden
I am as free as Nature first made man, Ere the base laws of servitude began. View quote
John Dryden
Preventing angels met it half the way, And sent us back to praise, who came to pray. View quote
John Dryden
If others in the same Glass better see 'Tis for Themselves they look, but not for me: For my Salvation must its Doom receive Not from what others, but what I believe. View quote
John Dryden
What flocks of critics hover here to-day, As vultures wait on armies for their prey, All gaping for the carcase of a play! View quote
John Dryden
It is almost impossible to translate verbally and well at the same time. View quote
John Dryden
The Wild Gallant, act ii. scene. 1. (John Dryden)
Fortune befriends the bold. View quote
John Dryden
Time, place, and action may with pains be wrought, but genius must be born; and never can be taught. View quote
John Dryden
Tomorrow do thy worst, I have lived today. View quote
John Dryden
The intoxication of anger, like that of the grape, shows us to others, but hides us from ourselves. View quote
John Dryden

John Dryden

John Dryden - Image
Photo: Wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Occupation: English Poet
Born: August 9, 1631
Died: May 1, 1700
Quotes count: 316
Wikipedia: John Dryden

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