“Let those find fault whose wit's so very small,
They've need to show that they can think at all;
Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow;
He who would search for pearls, must dive below.”

— John Dryden , All for Love

Prologue
Source: All for Love (1678)
Context: Let those find fault whose wit's so very small,
They've need to show that they can think at all;
Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow;
He who would search for pearls, must dive below.
Fops may have leave to level all they can;
As pigmies would be glad to lop a man.
Half-wits are fleas; so little and so light,
We scarce could know they live, but that they bite.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Dec. 15, 2024. History

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John Dryden 196

English poet and playwright of the XVIIth century 1631–1700

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“Let those find fault whose wit's so very small,They've need to show that they can think at all;Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow;He who would search for pearls, must dive below.”

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John Dryden 196

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“Let those find fault whose wit's so very small,
They've need to show that they can think at all;
Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow;
He who would search for pearls, must dive below.”