John Gay quotes - page 2

The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets. (John Gay)
The brave love mercy, and delight to save. View quote
John Gay
A Wolf eats sheep but now and then; Ten thousands are devour'd by men. An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretend friend is worse. View quote
John Gay
Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us, And fires us With courage, love and joy. Women and wine should life employ. Is there ought else on earth desirous? View quote
John Gay
How happy could I be with either, Were t' other dear charmer away! View quote
John Gay
In beauty faults conspicuous grow; The smallest speck is seen on snow. View quote
John Gay
Were I laid on Greenland's Coast, And in my Arms embrac'd my Lass; Warm amidst eternal Frost, Too soon the Half Year's Night would pass. View quote
John Gay
My lodging is on the cold ground, And hard, very hard, is my fare, But that which grieves me more Is the coldness of my dear. View quote
John Gay
Love, then, hath every bliss in store; 'Tis friendship, and 'tis something more. Each other every wish they give; Not to know love is not to live. View quote
John Gay
You base man you,-how can you look me in the face after what hath passed between us?-See here, perfidious wretch, how I am forc'd to bear about the load of infamy you have laid upon me- -O Macheath! thou hast robb'd me of my quiet-to see thee tortur'd would give me pleasure. View quote
John Gay
Macheath: And I would love you all the day, Polly: Every night would kiss and play, Macheath: If with me you'd fondly stray Polly: Over the hills and far away. (John Gay)
How happy I am, if you say this from your heart! For I love thee so, that I could sooner bear to see thee hang'd than in the Arms of another. View quote
John Gay
Remote from cities liv'd a swain, Unvex'd with all the cares of gain; His head was silver'd o'er with age, And long experience made him sage. View quote
John Gay
I don't enquire after your Affairs-- --so whatever happens, I wash my hands on't---- It hath always been my Maxim, that one Friend should assist another-- --But if you please----I'll take one of the Scarfs home with me. 'Tis always good to have something in Hand. View quote
John Gay
Through all the Employments of Life Each Neighbour abuses his Brother; Whore and Rogue they call Husband and Wife: All Professions be-rogue one another: The Priest calls the Lawyer a Cheat, The Lawyer be-knaves the Divine: And the Statesman, because he's so great, Thinks his Trade as honest as mine. View quote
John Gay
Shadow owes its birth to light. View quote
John Gay
As we live by the Muses, it is but a Gratitude in us to encourage Poetical Merit wherever we find it. The Muses, contrary to all other Ladies, pay no Distinction to Dress, and never partially mistake the Pertness of Embroidery for Wit, nor the Modesty of Want for Dulness. Be the Author who he will, we push his Play as far as it will go. So (though you are in Want) I wish you success heartily. View quote
John Gay
Give me, kind Heaven, a private station, A mind serene for contemplation: Title and profit I resign; The post of honour shall be mine. View quote
John Gay
If love be not his Guide, He never will come back! View quote
John Gay
All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd. View quote
John Gay
Brother, brother! we are both in the wrong. (John Gay)
How the mother is to be pitied who hath handsome daughters! Locks, bolts, bars, and lectures of morality are nothing to them: they break through them all. They have as much pleasure in cheating a father and mother, as in cheating at cards. View quote
John Gay
You know, my Dear, I never meddle in matters of Death; I always leave those Affairs to you. Women indeed are bitter bad Judges in these cases, for they are so partial to the Brave that they think every Man handsome who is going to the Camp or the Gallows. View quote
John Gay
Can you support the expense of a husband, hussy, in gaming, drinking and whoring? Have you money enough to carry on the daily quarrels of man and wife about who shall squander most? There are not many husbands and wives, who can bear the charges of plaguing one another in a handsome way. View quote
John Gay
That raven on yon left-hand oak (Curse on his ill-betiding croak!) Bodes me no good. View quote
John Gay