John Gay Quotes

108 Sourced Quotes

But flattery never seems absurd;
The flattered always takes your word.

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.

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.

John Gay
How, like a moth, the simple maid
Still plays about the flame!

John Gay
Excuse me, then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.

John Gay
An inconstant woman, tho' she has no chance to be very happy, can never be very unhappy.

John Gay
I must have women—there is nothing unbends the mind like them.

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.

John Gay
Money, wife, is the true fuller's earth for reputations, there is not a spot or a stain but what it can take out.

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.

John Gay
A woman scorn'd is pitiless as fate,
For then the dread of shame adds stings to hate.

John Gay
By outward show let's not be cheated;
An ass should like an ass be treated.

John Gay
In every rank, or great or small, 'Tis industry supports us all.

John Gay
Why is the hearse with scutcheons blazon'd round, And with the nodding plume of ostrich crown'd? No; the dead know it not, nor profit gain; It only serves to prove the living vain.

John Gay
Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each stone will wrench the unwary step aside; The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein, The cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain; And when too short the modish shoes are worn, You'll judge the seasons by your shooting corn.

John Gay
Who hath not heard the rich complain Of surfeits, and corporeal pain? He barr'd from every use of wealth, Envies the ploughman's strength and health.

John Gay
Who friendship with a knave hath made, Is judged a partner in the trade.

John Gay
Of all the fools that pride can boast, A Coxcomb claims distinction most.

John Gay
Learning by study must be won; 'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.

John Gay
Of all the plagues that heav'n hath sent, A wasp is most impertinent!

John Gay
A rich rogue nowadays is fit company for any gentleman; and the world, my dear, hath not such a contempt for roguery as you imagine.

John Gay
I cannot raise my worth too high; Of what vast consequence am I! "Not of the importance you suppose," Replies a Flea upon his nose; "Be humble, learn thyself to scan; Know, pride was never made for man.

John Gay
And what's a Butterfly? At best, He's but a caterpillar, drest...

John Gay
But he who studies nature's laws From certain truth his maxims draws.

John Gay
To frame the little animal, provide All the gay hues that wait on female pride: Let Nature guide thee; sometimes golden wire The shining bellies of the fly require; The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail, Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail.

John Gay
Some folks of cider make a rout
And cider's well enough no doubt
When better liquors fail;
But wine, that's richer, better still,
Ev'n wine itself (deny't who will)
Must yield to nappy ale

John Gay
From kings to cobblers 'tis the same; Bad servants wound their masters' fame.

John Gay
Music might tame and civilize wild beasts, but 'tis evident it never yet could tame and civilize musicians.

John Gay
The careful insect 'midst his works I view,
Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew,
With golden treasures load his little thighs,
And steer his distant journey through the skies.

John Gay
What will not luxury taste? Earth, sea, and air, Are daily ransack'd for the bill of fare. Blood stuffed in skins is British Christians' food, And France robs marshes of the croaking brood.

John Gay