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William Congreve Quotes - Page 4

All Quotes Beauty Hate Inspirational Love Marriage Pleasure Soul Waiting
Marriage indeed may qualify the fury of his passion, but it very rarely mends a man's manners.

Marriage indeed may qualify the fury of his passion, but it very rarely mends a man's manners.

William Congreve
Passion, Men, May
William. II Congreve William Wycherley (John Vanbrugh and Farquhar George), William. II Wycherley, William Congreve, George Farquhar, John Vanbrugh (1840). “Dramatic Works with Biographical and Critical Notices by Leigh Hunt. - London, Moxon 1840”, p.208

Would any thing but a madman complain of uncertainty? Uncertainty and expectation are joys of life; security is an insipid thing; and the overtaking and possessing of a wish discovers the folly of the chase.

William Congreve
Expectations, Joy, Wish
William. II Congreve William Wycherley (John Vanbrugh and Farquhar George), William. II Wycherley, William Congreve, George Farquhar, John Vanbrugh (1840). “Dramatic Works with Biographical and Critical Notices by Leigh Hunt. - London, Moxon 1840”, p.229

O, nothing is more alluring than a levee from a couch in some confusion.

William Congreve
Confusion, Couches, Levees
'The Way of the World' (1700) act 4, sc. 1

Men are apt to offend ('tis true) where they find most goodness to forgive.

William Congreve
Men, Forgiving, Goodness
William. II Congreve William Wycherley (John Vanbrugh and Farquhar George), William. II Wycherley, William Congreve, George Farquhar, John Vanbrugh (1840). “Dramatic Works with Biographical and Critical Notices by Leigh Hunt. - London, Moxon 1840”, p.164

Guilt is ever at a loss, and confusion waits upon it; when innocence and bold truth are always ready for expression.

William Congreve
Loss, Expression, Confusion
William Congreve (1788). “The Works of Mr. Congreve in Two Volumes”, p.140

'Tis well enough for a servant to be bred at an University. But the education is a little too pedantic for a gentleman.

William Congreve
College, Gentleman, Littles
'Love for Love' (1695) act 5, sc. 3

To converse with Scandal is to play at Losing Loadum, you must lose a good name to him, before you can win it for yourself.

William Congreve
Winning, Play, Names
William Congreve (2014). “Love for Love”, p.21, A&C Black

In my conscience I believe the baggage loves me, for she never speaks well of me herself, nor suffers any body else to rail at me.

William Congreve
Believe, Suffering, Criticism
'The Old Bachelor' (1693) act 1, sc. 1

There are come Critics so with Spleen diseased, They scarcely come inclining to be pleased: And sure he must have more than mortal Skill, Who please one against his Will.

William Congreve
Skills, Criticism, Spleen

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