"The rectitude of Dryden's mind was sufficiently shown by the dismission of his poetical prejudices, and the rejection of unnatural thoughts and rugged numbers. But Dryden never desired to apply all the judgment that he had. He wrote, and professed to write, merely for the people; and when he pleased others, he contented himself. He spent no time in struggles to rouse latent powers; he never attempted to make that better which was already good, nor often to mend what he must have known to be faulty. He wrote, as he tells us, with very little consideration; when occasion or necessity called upon him, he poured out what the present moment happened to supply, and, when once it had passed the press, ejected it from his mind; for, when he had no pecuniary interest, he had no further solicitude."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Samuel Johnson, Lives of the English Poets (1781), "The Life of Pope".
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Dryden
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
John Dryden
playwright, translator, poet
1631 – 1700 · Kingdom of England
John Dryden (19 August O.S. 9 August] 1631 – 12 May [O.S. 1 May] 1700) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate.
439 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by John Dryden →
Related Quotes
"Our sailing ships like common-sewers we use, And through our distant colonies diffuse The draught of dungeons, and th…"
"In thriving arts long time had Holland grown, Crouching at home and cruel when abroad: Scarce leaving us the means to…"
"In thriving arts long time had Holland grown, Crouching at home and cruel when abroad: Scarce leaving us the means to…"
"The bristled Baptist Boar, impure as he, But whiten'd with the foam of sanctity, With fat pollutions fill'd the sacre…"
"Beasts are the subjects of tyrannic sway, Where still the stronger on the weaker prey; Man only of a softer mold is m…"
"Όφις ην μη φάγη όφιν, δράκων ου γενήσεται."
"Begin when the slow waggoner descends, Nor cease your sowing till midwinter ends."
"But when the western winds with vital pow’r Call forth the tender grass and budding flow’r, Men, at the last, produce…"
"For sundry foes the rural realm surround; The field-mouse builds her garner under ground: For gather’d grain the blin…"
"When continued rain The lab’ring husband in his house restrain, Let him forecast his work with timely care, Which els…"