After-wittes are ever best

Quote byStephen Gosson · 1554–1624

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Schoole of Abuse (1579), "To the Reader".

English (original)

After-wittes are ever best.

— Stephen Gosson

Poets are the whetstones of wit.

The Harpies have Virgins faces, and vultures Talentes.

He is forced to go whom the devil drives.

Pleasure is a sweet tickling of sense, with a present joy.

The Syrens song is the Saylers wrack.

Hyena speakes like a friend, and devoures like a Foe.