John Dryden quotes

John Dryden was an English poet, playwright, and literary critic who became one of the most influential figures of Restoration literature. His works shaped English drama and poetry, setting high standards for literary excellence. He remains renowned for his wit, satirical verse, and critical essays. Here are 316 of his quotes:

Beware of the fury of the patient man. (John Dryden)
We first make our habits, and then our habits make us. View quote
John Dryden
Successful crimes alone are justified. View quote
John Dryden
Forgiveness to the injured does belong; but they ne'er pardon who have done wrong. View quote
John Dryden
Love is love's reward. View quote
John Dryden
The wretched have no friends. View quote
John Dryden
Pains of love be sweeter far than all other pleasures are. View quote
John Dryden
Happy the man, and happy he alone, he who can call today his own; he who, secure within, can say, tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today. View quote
John Dryden
Far more numerous are those as such who think to little and talk to much. View quote
John Dryden
For truth has such a face and such a mien, as to be loved needs only to be seen. View quote
John Dryden
Never was patriot yet, but was a fool. (John Dryden)
A knock-down argument; 'tis but a word and a blow. View quote
John Dryden
What passions cannot music raise or quell? View quote
John Dryden
Ill habits gather by unseen degrees - As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas. View quote
John Dryden
All things are subject to decay and when fate summons, monarchs must obey. View quote
John Dryden
Jealousy is the jaundice of the soul. View quote
John Dryden
Death in itself is nothing; but we fear to be we know not what, we know not where. View quote
John Dryden
There is a pleasure in being mad which none but madmen know. View quote
John Dryden
Of no distemper, of no blast he died, But fell like autumn fruit that mellow'd long, Even wonder'd at, because he dropp'd no sooner. Fate seem'd to wind him up for fourscore years, Yet freshly ran he on ten winters more Till like a clock worn out with eating time, The wheels of weary life at last stood still. View quote
John Dryden
Better one suffer than a nation grieve. View quote
John Dryden
Fame then was cheap, and the first comer sped And they have kept it since by being dead. (John Dryden)
Plots, true or false, are necessary things, To raise up commonwealths and ruin kings. View quote
John Dryden
But Shakespeare's magic could not copied be Within that circle none durst walk but he. View quote
John Dryden
Our souls sit close and silently within, And their own web from their own entrails spin And when eyes meet far off, our sense is such, That, spider-like, we feel the tenderest touch. View quote
John Dryden
Men met each other with erected look, The steps were higher that they took Friends to congratulate their friends made haste, And long inveterate foes saluted as they pass'd. View quote
John Dryden