718 Quotes by John Dryden

Tis Fate that flings the dice,And as she flingsOf kings makes peasants,And of peasants kings.

Thus like a Captive in an Isle confin'd,Man walks at large, a Pris'ner of the Mind

When I consider life, 't is all a cheat.Yet fool'd with hope, men favour the deceit;Trust on, and think to-morrow will repay.To-morrow 's falser than the former day;Lies worse, and while it says we shall be blestWith some new joys, cuts off what we possest.Strange cozenage! none would live past years again,Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain;And from the dregs of life think to receiveWhat the first sprightly running could not give.

Better shun the bait, than struggle in the snare.

The winds that never moderation knew,Afraid to blow too much, too faintly blew;Or out of breath with joy, could not enlarge Their straighten'd lungs or conscious of their charge.

Bold knaves thrive without one grain of sense,But good men starve for want of impudence.

Must I at length the Sword of Justice draw?Oh curst Effects of necessary Law!How ill my Fear they by my Mercy scan,Beware the Fury of a Patient Man.

But wilde Ambition loves to slide, not stand;And Fortunes Ice prefers to Vertues Land

Great wits are to madness near alliedAnd thin partitions do their bounds divide.