Ben Jonson Quotes

Public esteem is the recompense of honest men.

Very few reputations are gained by unsullied virtue.

No man, however enslaved to his appetites, or hurried by his passions, can, while he preserves his intellects unimpaired, please himself with promoting the corruption of others. He whose merit has enlarged his influence would surely wish to exert it for the benefit of mankind. Yet such will be the effect of his reputation, while he suffers himself to indulge in any favourite fault, that they who have no hope to reach his excellence will catch at his failings, and his virtues will be cited to justify the copiers of his vices.

An honest man here lies at rest, the friend of man the friend of truth the friend of age and guide of youth. Few hearts like his with virtue warmed, few heads with knowledge so informed. If there's another world, he lives in bliss. If there is none, he made the best of this.

Though a hundred crooked paths may conduct to a temporary success, the one plain and straight path of public and private virtue can alone lead to a pure and lasting fame and the blessings of posterity.

Honour is purchased by the deeds we do.

To gain a reputation for virtue, grieve over those you injure.

A good character is the best tombstone.

You cannot become great women if you are not also good women. Great women respond generously to their instincts to do good.

Those possest of the greatest Virtues are always least pleas'd with the repetition of them.

Most men admire Virtue who follow not her lore.

But courage without conduct is the virtue of a robber, or a tyrant.

Power doesn't always corrupt. Power can cleanse. What I believe is always true about power is that power always reveals.

Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation... Men die, they said, but reputation does not die.

When good men die their goodness does not perish, But lives though they are gone. As for the bad, All that was theirs dies and is buried with them.

No one ever lost his honor, except he who had it not.

Words are leaves, the substance consists of deeds, which are the true fruits of a good tree.

That's a lovely idea, Diana,' said Anne enthusiastically. 'Living so that you beautify your name, even if it wasn't beautiful to begin with…making it stand in people's thoughts for something so lovely and pleasant that they never think of it by itself. Thank you, Diana.

He is not great who is not greatly good.

If I can only keep my good name, I shall have riches enough.

The most tragic thing in the world is a man of genius who is not a man of honor.

Virtue is her own reward.

Anyone can forget about talent, but if you're a good person, your name will be remembered a long time.