John Dryden Quotes

1631–1700, British Poet, Dramatist, Critic
quotes
62
topics
12
Origin
What do these mean?
Topic
“Love is love's reward.”
Love
“War is the trade of Kings.”
War
“Fortune befriends the bold.”
Boldness
“All heiresses are beautiful.”
Inheritance
“Not to ask is not be denied.”
Silence
“Beware the fury of a patient man.”
VerifiedAbsalom and Achitophel (1681), Pt. I, l. 1005 · evidencePatience
“Thou strong seducer, Opportunity!”
Opportunity
“Drinking is the soldier's pleasure.”
Army and Navy
“Self-defence is nature's eldest law”
VerifiedAbsalom and Achitophel (1681) · evidenceDefense
“Jealousy, the jaundice of the soul.”
VerifiedThe Hind and the Panther (1687) · evidenceJealousy
“For they conquer who believe they can.”
Confidence
“Repentance is but want of power to sin.”
Repentance
“To die is landing on some distant shore.”
Death and Dying
“All objects lose by too familiar a view.”
Familiarity
“Mighty things from small beginnings grow.”
VerifiedAnnus Mirabilis (1667) · evidencePower
“Love is not in our choice but in our fate.”
Love
“Tomorrow do thy worst, I have lived today.”
Tomorrow
“She feared no danger, for she knew no sin.”
VerifiedThe Hind and the Panther (1687) · evidenceSin
“Be slow to resolve, but quick in performance.”
Decisions
“Genius must be born, and never can be taught.”
VerifiedEpistle to Congreve (1693), l. 60 · evidenceGenius
“Kings fight for empires, madmen for applause.”
Kings
“He who would search for pearls must dive below.”
VerifiedAll for Love (1678) · evidencePrice
“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.”
Habit
“He who trusts secrets to a servant makes him his master.”
Trust
“Woman's honor is nice as ermine; it will not bear a soil.”
Honor
“Pains of love be sweeter far Than all other pleasures are.”
VerifiedTyrannick Love (1669), Act IV, sc. i · evidencePain