Ben Jonson's Time-Binding Testament

[Bruce I. Kodish]

Will Shakespeare's friend, Ben Jonson, knew a few things about human evaluating. Here's a quote from his essay ,"Discoveries Made on Man and Matter:

"If in some things I dissent from others, whose wit, industry, diligence, and judgement, I look up at and admire, let me not therefore hear presently of ingratitude and rashness. For I thank those that have taught me, and ever will; but yet dare not think the scope of their labour and inquiry was to envy their posterity what they also could add and find out....If I err, pardon me: 'No art is discovered at once and absolutely.' I do not desire to be equal to those that went before; but to have my reason examined with theirs....If I have anything right, defend it as Truth's, not mine, save as it conduceth to a common good....Stand for truth, and 'tis enough."*

* qtd. in the epigraph of William H. George's 1938 book, The Scientist in Action.

[David Linwood]

Try this URL for a picture of Ben and some lovely ensemble music of the period.

http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/jonson/jonsonquotes.htm

David