Absalom and Achitophel Quotes

“Great wits are to madness near allied
And thin partitions do their bounds divide.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“But far more numerous was the herd of such,
Who think too little, and who talk too much.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“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.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“In God ’tis glory: And when men aspire,
’Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“Nor is the people's judgment always true:
The most may err as grossly as the few.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“For whatsoe'er their sufferings were before,
That change they covet makes them suffer more.
All other errors but disturb a state;
But innovation is the blow of fate.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“Fools are more hard to conquer than persuade.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“Thus, in a Pageant Show, a Plot is made;
And Peace it self is War in Masquerade.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“Yet if a Poem have a Genius, it will force its own reception in the World.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“But, when to Sin our byast Nature leans,
The carefull Devil is still at hand with means.
-
Ama yanlı Tabiatımız günaha meylettiği zaman
Gerekli araçlarla çıkagelir uyanık Şeytan.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“And, dying, bless the hand that gave the blow.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“A man so various, that he seem'd to be
Not one, but all Mankinds Epitome.
Stiff in Opinions, always in the wrong;
Was every thing by starts, and nothing long:
But, in the course of one revolving Moon,
Was Chymist, Fidler, States-Man, and Buffoon:
Then all for Women, Painting, Rhiming, Drinking;
Besides ten thousand freaks that dy'd in thinking.
Blest Madman, who coud every hour employ,
With something New to wish, or to enjoy!
Rayling and praising were his usual Theams;
And both (to shew his Judgment) in Extreams:
So over Violent, or over Civil,
That every man, with him, was God or Devil.
In squandring Wealth was his peculiar Art:
Nothing went unrewarded, but Desert.
Begger'd by Fools, whom still he found too late:
He had his Jest, and they had his Estate.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“What cannot Praise effect in Mighty Minds,
When Flattery Sooths, and when Ambition Blinds!”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“But wilde Ambition loves to slide, not stand;
And Fortunes Ice prefers to Vertues Land”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“From Plots and Treasons Heaven preserve my years,
But Save me most from my Petitioners.
Unsatiate as the barren Womb or Grave;
God cannot Grant so much as they can Crave.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“So easie still it proves in Factious Times,
With publick Zeal to cancel private Crimes:
How safe is Treason, and how sacred ill,
Where none can sin against the Peoples Will:
Where Crouds can wink; and no offence be known,
Since in anothers guilt they find their own.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel

“But, when to Sin our byast Nature leans,
The carefull Devil is still at hand with means;
And providently Pimps for ill desires:
The Good old Cause reviv'd, a Plot requires.
Plots, true or false, are necessary things,
To raise up Common-wealths, and ruin Kings.”
― John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel