John Gay

Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise. For envy is a kind of praise.

On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.

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.

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.

I must have women - there is nothing unbends the mind like them.

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

O Polly, you might have toyed and kissed, by keeping men off, you keep them on.

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.

Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.

She who has never loved has never lived.

There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self.

The brave love mercy, and delight to save.

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

An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretended friend is worse.

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.

Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.

We only part to meet again.

Shadow owes its birth to light.

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

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

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