False Negatives

Famous quotes containing the words false and/or negatives:

    “Rhyme, the rack of finest wits,
    That expresseth but by fits
    True conceit,
    Spoiling senses of their treasure,
    Cozening judgment with a measure,
    But false weight;
    Wresting words from their true calling;
    Propping verse for fear of falling
    To the ground;
    Jointing syllables, drowning letters,
    Fastening vowels, as with fetters
    They were bound!”
    —Ben Jonson (1572–1637)

    “‘Tis not such lines as almost crack the stage
    When Bajazet begins to rage;
    Nor a tall met’phor in the bombast way,
    Nor the dry chips of short-lunged Seneca.
    Nor upon all things to obtrude
    And force some odd similitude.
    What is it then, which like the power divine
    We only can by negatives define?”
    —Abraham Cowley (1618–1667)