Bacchus ever fair and young, Drinking joys did first ordain. Bachus's blessings are a treasure, Drinking is the soldier's pleasure, Rich the treasure, Sweet the pleasure- Sweet is pleasure after pain.
John DrydenIs it not evident, in these last hundred years (when the Study of Philosophy has been the business of all the Virtuosi in Christendome) that almost a new Nature has been revealed to us? that more errours of the School have been detected, more useful Experiments in Philosophy have been made, more Noble Secrets in Opticks, Medicine, Anatomy, Astronomy, discover'd, than in all those credulous and doting Ages from Aristotle to us? So true it is that nothing spreads more fast than Science, when rightly and generally cultivated.
John DrydenWhat, start at this! when sixty years have spread. Their grey experience o'er thy hoary head? Is this the all observing age could gain? Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?
John DrydenYouth, beauty, graceful action seldom fail: But common interest always will prevail; And pity never ceases to be shown To him who makes the people's wrongs his own.
John DrydenYou see through love, and that deludes your sight, As what is straight seems crooked through the water.
John DrydenIt is a madness to make fortune the mistress of events, because in herself she is nothing, can rule nothing, but is ruled by prudence.
John DrydenReason to rule, mercy to forgive: The first is law, the last prerogative. Life is an adventure in forgiveness.
John DrydenGreat souls forgive not injuries till time has put their enemies within their power, that they may show forgiveness is their own.
John DrydenI strongly wish for what I faintly hope; like the daydreams of melancholy men, I think and think in things impossible, yet love to wander in that golden maze.
John DrydenThe propriety of thoughts and words, which are the hidden beauties of a play, are but confusedly judged in the vehemence of action.
John DrydenTruth is never to be expected from authors whose understanding is warped with enthusiasm.
John DrydenMere poets are sottish as mere drunkards are, who live in a continual mist, without seeing or judging anything clearly. A man should be learned in several sciences, and should have a reasonable, philosophical and in some measure a mathematical head, to be a complete and excellent poet.
John DrydenSeek not to know what must not be reveal, for joy only flows where fate is most concealed. A busy person would find their sorrows much more; if future fortunes were known before!
John DrydenBetter to hunt in fields, for health unbought, Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught, The wise, for cure, on exercise depend; God never made his work for man to mend.
John Dryden