"Greatness of name in the father oft-times overwhelms the son; they stand too near one another. The shadow kills the growth: so much, that we see the grandchild come more and oftener to be heir of the first."

Ben Jonson Literature See all quotes by Ben Jonson →

React to this quote

More by Ben Jonson

“He is a narrow-minded man, that affects a triumph in any glorious study; but to triumph in a lie, and a lie themselves have forged, is frontless. Folly often goes beyond her bounds; but Impudence knows none.”

“I will eat exceedingly, and prophesy.”

“Have paid scot and lot there any time this eighteen years.”

“It is an art to have so much judgment as to apparel a lie well, to give it a good dressing.”

“Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant; and of all tame, a flatterer.”

“Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak, and to speak well, are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks...”

Resonant Thoughts

"There is no more perfect picture on the earth, or within the imagination of man, than a mother holding in her thrilled and happy arms a child, the fruit of love."

— Robert G. Ingersoll

Law1833–1899

#family

"First Principles Herbert's 'First Principles' online"

— Herbert Spencer

Philosophy1820–1903

#ethics

"Don't forget, you men don't know that I'm here. No mention of that fact is to be made in any letters. The world is not supposed to know what the hell happened to me. I'm not supposed to be commanding …"

— George S. Patton

Military1885–1945

#knowledge

"Lola's was not exactly a bar. It was a small beer-and-soda joint. There was a Coca-Cola box full of beer and soda and ice at the left of the door as you came in. A counter with tube-metal stools cover…"

— William S. Burroughs

Literature1914–1997

#time