John Gay Quotes

Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow thee.

Envy is a kind of praise.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy and delight to save.

Lions, wolves, and vultures don't live together in herds, droves or flocks. Of all animals of prey, man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his neighbor, and yet we herd together.

You can only be called a hypocrite if you judge others first.

A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much

Youth's the season made for joys, Love is then our duty.

Nor love, not honor, wealth nor power, can give the heart a cheerful hour when health is lost. Be timely wise; With health all taste of pleasure flies.

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.

Thus shadow owes its birth to light.

I hate the man who builds his name On ruins of another's fame. Thus prudes, by characters o'erthrown, Imagine that they raise their own. Thus Scribblers, covetous of praise, Think slander can transplant the bays.

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

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

I know you lawyers can with ease, Twist words and meanings as you please; That language, by your skill made pliant, Will bend to favour every client; That 'tis the fee directs the sense, To make out either side's pretense.

Who talks much, must talk in vain.

Envy's a sharper spur than pay.

One common fate we both must prove; You die with envy, I with love.

Beasts kill for hunger, men for pay.

The luxury of doing good surpasses every other personal enjoyment.

And when a lady's in the case, You know, all other things give place.

What frenzy dictates, jealousy believes

A woman's friendship ever ends in love.

One wife is too much for most husbands to bear, But two at a time there's no mortal can bear.

No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.

Fair is the kingcup that in meadow blows, Fair is the daisy that beside her grows.