"Its the common disease of all your musicians that they know no mean, to be entreated, either to begin or end"

This quote by Ben Jonson is describing the propensity of artists to be stubborn and reluctant to compromise. He is saying that artists often do not have the capability to recognize when it is proper to start or stop playing. This can be seen as a criticism of artists, as it suggests that they are too proud and reluctant to take direction from others.

Jonson is suggesting that musicians need to be more available to the viewpoints of others and want to change their playing appropriately. He is likewise implying that musicians need to be more familiar with the context of their playing and be able to acknowledge when it is appropriate to begin or stop.

This quote can likewise be viewed as an alerting to musicians to be familiar with their own restrictions and to be open to the opinions of others. It is a pointer that musicians must be humble and happy to take direction from others in order to produce the very best possible music. By being open to the viewpoints of others, artists can produce music that is more satisfying and significant.