| 71 Famous Quotes by John Gay
|
|---|
|
“By outward show let's not be cheated;
An ass should like an ass be treated.”
Appearance Quotes Source: Fables--The Packhorse and Carrier (pt. II, l. 99)
|
|
“Of all the fools that pride can boast,
A Coxcomb claims distinction most.”
Foppery Quotes Source: Fables (pt. II, fable 5)
|
|
“My new straw hat that's trimly lin'd with green,
Let Peggy wear.”
Hatters Quotes Source: Shepherd's Week--Friday (l. 125)
|
|
“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.”
Shoemaking Quotes Source: Trivia (bk. I, l. 33)
|
|
“So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.”
Results Quotes Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
|
|
“"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."”
Fleas Quotes Source: The Man and the Flea
|
|
“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.”
Bees Quotes Source: Rural Sports (canto I, l. 82)
|
|
“The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets.”
Flies Quotes Source: The Beggar's Opera (act II, sc. 2, l. 35)
|
|
“Over the hills and far away.”
Mountains Quotes Source: The Beggar's Opera (act I, sc. 1)
|
|
“Brother, brother; we are both in the wrong.”
Errors Quotes Source: Beggar's Opera (act II, sc. 2)
|
|
“Brother, brother; we are both in the wrong.”
Wrongs Quotes Source: Beggar's Opera (act II, sc. 2)
|
|
“Lash'd into Latin by the tingling rod.”
Linguists Quotes Source: The Birth of the Squire (l. 46)
|
|
“We only part to meet again.”
Parting Quotes Source: Black-eyed Susan (st. 4)
|
|
“Excuse me, then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.”
Parting Quotes Source: The Hare and Many Friends (l. 61)
|
|
“The rising blushes, which her cheek o'er-spread,
Are opening roses in the lily's bed.”
Blushes Quotes Source: Dione (act II, sc. 3)
|
|
“Variety's the source of joy below,
From whence still fresh-revolving pleasures flow,
In books and love the mind one end pursues,
And only change the expiring flames renews.”
Variety Quotes Source: Epistles--To Bernard Lintot, on a Miscellany of Poems
|
|
“The brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.”
Bravery Quotes Source: Fable--The Lion, Tiger and Traveller (l. 33)
|
|
“Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
The post of honor shall be mine.”
Honor Quotes Source: Fables (pt. II, The Vulture, The Sparrow and other Birds)
|
|
“Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.”
Cowards Quotes Source: Fables (pt. I, fable 1)
|
|
“Good housewives all the winter's rage despise,
Defended by the riding-hood's disguise;
Or, underneath the umbrella's oily shade,
Safe through the wet on clinking pattens tread,
Let Persian dames the unbrella's ribs display,
To guard their beauties from the sunny ray;
Or sweating slaves support the shady load,
When eastern monarchs show their state abroad;
Britain in winter only knows its aid,
To guard from chilling showers the walking maid.”
Umbrellas Quotes Source: Trivia (bk. I, l. 209)
|
|
“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.”
Wealth Quotes Source: Fables--The Cookmaid, Turnspit, and Ox
|
|
“When if or chance or hunger's powerful sway
Directs the roving trout this fatal way,
He greedily sucks in the twining bait,
And tugs and nibbles the fallacious meat.
Now, happy fisherman; now twitch the line!
How thy rod bends! behold, the prize is thine!”
Fishing Quotes Source: Rural Sports (canto I, l. 150)
|
|
“I never, with important air,
In conversation overbear.
. . . .
My tongue within my lips I rein;
For who talks much must talk in vain.”
Conversation Quotes Source: Fables (pt. I, introduction, l. 53)
|
|
“With thee conversing I forget the way.”
Conversation Quotes Source: Trivia (bk. II, l. 480)
|
|
“"Is there no hope?" the sick man said,
The silent doctor shook his head,
And took his leave with signs of sorrow,
Despairing of his fee to-morrow.”
Medicine Quotes Source: The Sick Man and the Angel
|
| « Previous [1-25] [26-50] [51-71] Next » |
John Gay Quotes, Quotations, and Sayings
|
|
|