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John Dryden Quotes - Page 19

Imitators are but a servile kind of cattle.

Imitators are but a servile kind of cattle.

Charles-Alphonse Dufresnoy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, John Dryden, Alexander Pope (1783). “The art of painting of Charles Alphonse Du Fresnoy”, p.166

The blushing beauties of a modest maid.

John Dryden, C. B., Esquire Charles BATHURST (1852). “Selections from the poetry of Dryden, including his plays and translations. [The editor's preface signed: C. B., i.e. Charles Bathurst.]”, p.191

A brave man scorns to quarrel once a day; Like Hectors in at every petty fray.

John Dryden (2014). “All for Love”, p.43, Bloomsbury Publishing

Damn'd neuters, in their middle way of steering, Are neither fish, nor flesh, nor good red herring.

John Dryden (1755). “The Duke of Guise. A tragedy. Acted by their Majesties Servants. Written by Mr. Dryden, and Mr. Lee”, p.267

Ill fortune seldom comes alone.

John Dryden (1854). “Poetical Works”, p.143

Pleasure never comes sincere to man; but lent by heaven upon hard usury.

John Dryden (1808). “The Works of John Dryden: Now First Collected in Eighteen Volumes. Illustrated with Notes, Historical, Critical, and Explanatory, and a Life of the Author”, p.144

Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors.

John Dryden, Joseph Warton, John Warton (1856). “The Poetical Works of John Dryden, Containing the Original Poems, Tales, and Translations”, p.284

Imitation pleases, because it affords matter for inquiring into the truth or falsehood of imitation, by comparing its likeness or unlikeness with the original.

John Dryden (1800). “The Critical and Miscellaneous Prose Works of John Dryden: Now First Collected: with Notes and Illustrations; an Acount of the Life and Writing of the Author, Grounded on Original and Authentick Documents; and a Collection of His Letters, the Greater Part of which Has Never Before Been Published”, p.323

Second thoughts, they say, are best.

William Whitehead, Mr. John Crown, Mr. John Dryden, Nicholas Rowe (1720). “A Select Collection of the Best Modern English Plays: Vol. IV.”, p.37

Having mourned your sin, for outward Eden lost, find paradise within.

John Dryden (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of John Dryden (Illustrated)”, p.2848, Delphi Classics

Either be wholly slaves or wholly free.

'The Hind and the Panther' (1687) pt. 2, l. 285