Quotes by John Dryden

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

What precious drops are those Which silently each other's track pursue, Bright as young diamonds in their infant dew?

Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.

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 blest With 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 receive What the first sprightly running could not give.

Bankrupt of life, yet prodigal of ease.

I am as free as Nature first made man, Ere the base laws of servitude began, When wild in woods the noble savage ran.

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

For every inch that is not fool is rogue.

Fame then was cheap, and the first comer sped; And they have kept it since by being dead.

Dancing is the poetry of the foot.