Quotes & anectdotes from the wise, the foolish, the courageous & the drunk

John Dryden Playwright

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: England
  • Born: Aug 9, 1631
  • Died: May 12, 1700

John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made Poet Laureate in 1668.

He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden. Walter Scott called him "Glorious John."

He has not learned the first lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear. fear

Beware the fury of a patient man. patience

Reason is a crutch for age, but youth is strong enough to walk alone. aging & being alone

But love's a malady without a cure. love

For truth has such a face and such a mien, as to be loved needs only to be seen. truth

Jealousy is the jaundice of the soul. jealousy

Dancing is the poetry of the foot. poetry

War is the trade of Kings. war

Forgiveness to the injured does belong but they ne'er pardon who have done wrong. forgiveness

Death in itself is nothing but we fear to be we know not what, we know not where. death & fear

Successful crimes alone are justified. being alone

Pains of love be sweeter far than all other pleasures are. love

Love is love's reward. love

Only man clogs his happiness with care, destroying what is with thoughts of what may be. happiness

The intoxication of anger, like that of the grape, shows us to others, but hides us from ourselves. anger

Boldness is a mask for fear, however great. fear & greatness

When I consider life, it is all a cheat. Yet fooled with hope, people favor this deceit. hope

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