John Gay Quotes

A collection of quotes by John Gay.

John Gay was an English poet and dramatist, born on June 30, 1685, in Devonshire. He is best known for his comic opera, "The Beggar's Opera," which was first performed in 1728 and became a popular success. Gay's works often satirized the society and politics of his time. He was also associated with important literary figures like Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope. Although his career faced some setbacks, John Gay's contributions to English literature continue to be celebrated. He passed away on December 4, 1732.

Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow t

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

Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us, And fires us With co

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?

Life Love Women

If love be not his Guide, He never will come back!

If love be not his Guide, He never will come back!

Love

Love, then, hath every bliss in store; 'Tis friendship, and

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.

Love Friendship

We only part to meet again.

We only part to meet again.

Last Words

How the mother is to be pitied who hath handsome daughters!

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.

Family

Through all the employments of life each neighbor abuses his

Through all the employments of life each neighbor abuses his brother; whore and rogue they call husband and wife: All professions be-rogue one another.

Professionalism

Gamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their wh

Gamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their whores, but they are very devils to their wives.

Crime

Cowards are cruel, but the brave Love mercy, and delight to

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

Cowardice/weakness

The comfortable estate of widowhood is the only hope that ke

The comfortable estate of widowhood is the only hope that keeps up a wife's spirits.

Lions, wolves, and vultures don't live together in herds, dr

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.

Communism

But money, wife, is the true Fuller's Earth for reputations,

But money, wife, is the true Fuller's Earth for reputations, there is not a spot or a stain but what it can take out.

Money

Shadow owes its birth to light.

Shadow owes its birth to light.

Night

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

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

Victory

A rich rogue nowadays is fit company for any gentleman; and

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.

Company Companions

A fox may steal your hens, Sir, a whore your health and penc

A fox may steal your hens, Sir, a whore your health and pence, Sir, your daughter rob your chest, Sir, your wife may steal your rest, Sir, a thief your goods and plate. But this is all but picking, with rest, pence, chest and chicken; it ever was decreed, Sir, if lawyer's hand is feed, Sir, he steals your whole estate.

Law

Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!

Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!

Men & Women

What then in love can woman do? If we grow fond they shun us

What then in love can woman do? If we grow fond they shun us. And when we fly them, they pursue: But leave us when they've won us.

Love

Fill it up. I take as large draughts of liquor as I did of l

Fill it up. I take as large draughts of liquor as I did of love. I hate a flincher in either.

Alcohol/alcoholism

But his kiss was so sweet, and so closely he pressed, that I

But his kiss was so sweet, and so closely he pressed, that I languished and pined till I granted the rest.

Kisses