For truth has such a face and such a mien, as to be loved needs only to be seen.
Meaning of the quote
The quote suggests that the truth is so beautiful and appealing that people will naturally love it just by looking at it. The truth has a certain presence and appearance that makes it instantly attractive and desirable, without needing any additional effort to convince people to accept it.
About John Dryden
John Dryden was an acclaimed English writer who served as the first Poet Laureate of England. Known for his literary contributions during the Restoration era, Dryden was revered as the ‘Glorious John’ by writer Sir Walter Scott.
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Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide.
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Never was patriot yet, but was a fool.
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There is a pleasure in being mad which none but madmen know.
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He who would search for pearls must dive below.
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Look around the inhabited world; how few know their own good, or knowing it, pursue.
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Self-defence is Nature’s eldest law.
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For they conquer who believe they can.
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Dancing is the poetry of the foot.
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By education most have been misled; So they believe, because they were bred. The priest continues where the nurse began, And thus the child imposes on the man.
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Words are but pictures of our thoughts.
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Go miser go, for money sell your soul. Trade wares for wares and trudge from pole to pole, So others may say when you are dead and gone. See what a vast estate he left his son.
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Boldness is a mask for fear, however great.
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Seek not to know what must not be reveal, for joy only flows where fate is most concealed. A busy person would find their sorrows much more; if future fortunes were known before!
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The intoxication of anger, like that of the grape, shows us to others, but hides us from ourselves.
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If you be pungent, be brief; for it is with words as with sunbeams – the more they are condensed the deeper they burn.
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He has not learned the first lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.
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Pains of love be sweeter far than all other pleasures are.
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Let grace and goodness be the principal loadstone of thy affections. For love which hath ends, will have an end; whereas that which is founded on true virtue, will always continue.
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Time, place, and action may with pains be wrought, but genius must be born; and never can be taught.
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Fool that I was, upon my eagle’s wings I bore this wren, till I was tired with soaring, and now he mounts above me.
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Beauty, like ice, our footing does betray; Who can tread sure on the smooth, slippery way: Pleased with the surface, we glide swiftly on, And see the dangers that we cannot shun.
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Beware the fury of a patient man.
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We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.
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All objects lose by too familiar a view.
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Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.
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Reason is a crutch for age, but youth is strong enough to walk alone.
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Repentance is but want of power to sin.
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When I consider life, it is all a cheat. Yet fooled with hope, people favor this deceit.
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