Nor love, not honour, wealth nor pow'r, Can give the heart a cheerful hour When health is lost. Be timely wise; With health all taste of pleasure flies.


John Gay

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More John Gay

But money, wife, is the true Fuller's Earth for reputations, there is not a spot or a stain but what...
JOHN GAY
Can you support the expense of a husband, hussy, in gaming, drinking and whoring? Have you money eno...
JOHN GAY
Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been m...
JOHN GAY
How many saucy airs we meet, From Temple Bar to Aldgate street!
JOHN GAY
Who hath not heard the rich complain Of surfeits, and corporeal pain? He barr'd from every use...
JOHN GAY
What then in love can woman do? If we grow fond they shun us. And when we fly them, they pursue: But...
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Learning by study must be won; 'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.
JOHN GAY
A man should be religious, not superstitious.
JOHN GAY
Who friendship with a knave hath made, Is judg'd a partner in the trade.
JOHN GAY
In every age and clime we see, Two of a trade can ne'er agree.
JOHN GAY
O Polly, you might have toyed and kissed, by keeping men off, you keep them on.
JOHN GAY
Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!
JOHN GAY
I must have women -- there is nothing unbends the mind like them.
JOHN GAY
A fox may steal your hens, Sir, a whore your health and pence, Sir, your daughter rob your chest, Si...
JOHN GAY
Fill it up. I take as large draughts of liquor as I did of love. I hate a flincher in either.
JOHN GAY
Lions, wolves, and vultures don't live together in herds, droves or flocks. Of all animals of prey, ...
JOHN GAY
Gamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their whores, but they are very devils to their ...
JOHN GAY
Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise. For envy is a kind of praise.
JOHN GAY
How the mother is to be pitied who hath handsome daughters! Locks, bolts, bars, and lectures of mora...
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Through all the employments of life each neighbor abuses his brother; whore and rogue they call husb...
JOHN GAY
The comfortable estate of widowhood is the only hope that keeps up a wife's spirits.
JOHN GAY
There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self.
JOHN GAY
Shadow owes its birth to light.
JOHN GAY
Of all mechanics, of all servile handycrafts-men, a gamester is the vilest. But yet, as many of the ...
JOHN GAY
We only part to meet again.
JOHN GAY
Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.
JOHN GAY
But his kiss was so sweet, and so closely he pressed, that I languished and pined till I granted the...
JOHN GAY
Cowards are cruel, but the brave Love mercy, and delight to save.
JOHN GAY
A rich rogue nowadays is fit company for any gentleman; and the world, my dear, hath not such a cont...
JOHN GAY
Cowards are cruel, but the brave Love mercy, and delight to save.
JOHN GAY
With thee conversing I forget the way.
JOHN GAY
I never, with important air, In conversation overbear. . . . . My tongue within my lips ...
JOHN GAY
What happiness the rural maid attends, In cheerful labour while each day she spends! She grate...
JOHN GAY
How bless'd, how envied, were our life, Could we but scape the poulterer's knife! But man, cur...
JOHN GAY
There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self
JOHN GAY
Fair is the kingcup that in meadow blows, Fair is the daisy that beside her grows.
JOHN GAY
The brave Love mercy, and delight to save.
JOHN GAY
The rising blushes, which her cheek o'er-spread, Are opening roses in the lily's bed.
JOHN GAY
The careful insect 'midst his works I view, Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew, Wit...
JOHN GAY
Reproachful speech from either side The want of argument supplied; They rail, reviled; as ofte...
JOHN GAY
Excuse me, then! you know my heart; But dearest friends, alas! must part.
JOHN GAY
A justice with grave justices shall sit; He praise their wisdom, they admire his wit.
JOHN GAY
A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd.
JOHN GAY
What boots it on the lineal tree to trace Through many a branch the founders of our race.
JOHN GAY
If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the tree...
JOHN GAY
So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er, The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.
JOHN GAY
For he as studious--of his ease.
JOHN GAY
Studious of elegance and ease.
JOHN GAY
Brother, brother; we are both in the wrong.
JOHN GAY
When rogues like these (a sparrow cries) To honours and employments rise, I court no favor, as...
JOHN GAY
In other men we faults may spy, And blame the mote that dims their eye; Each little speck and ...
JOHN GAY
Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.
JOHN GAY
Impartially their talents scan, Just education forms the man. - John Gay,
JOHN GAY
Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.
JOHN GAY
Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise. For envy is a kind of praise.
JOHN GAY
Envy's a sharper spur than pay: No author ever spar'd a brother; Wits are gamecocks to one ano...
JOHN GAY
The comfortable estate of widowhood is the only hope that keeps up a wife's spirits.
JOHN GAY
Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow thee.
JOHN GAY
I hate the man who builds his name On ruins of another's fame.
JOHN GAY
That Raven on yon left-hand oak (Curse on his ill-betiding croak) Bodes me no good.
JOHN GAY
Now Cynthia, named fair regent of the night.
JOHN GAY
All in the Downs are fleet was moor'd.
JOHN GAY
Lash'd into Latin by the tingling rod.
JOHN GAY
My new straw hat that's trimly lin'd with green, Let Peggy wear.
JOHN GAY
Over the hills and far away.
JOHN GAY
To frame the little animal, provide All the gay hues that wait on female pride: Let Nature gui...
JOHN GAY
The coquets of both sexes are self-lovers, and that is a love no other whatever can dispossess.
JOHN GAY
The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets.
JOHN GAY
"I cannot raise my worth too high; Of what vast consequence am I!" "Not of the importance you ...
JOHN GAY
Of all the fools that pride can boast, A Coxcomb claims distinction most.
JOHN GAY
No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.
JOHN GAY
An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretended friend is worse.
JOHN GAY
Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking slee...
JOHN GAY
Thus shadow owes its birth to light.
JOHN GAY
My tongue within my lips I rein: For who talks much must talk in vain.
JOHN GAY
Variety's the source of joy below, From whence still fresh-revolving pleasures flow, In books ...
JOHN GAY
From wine what sudden friendship springs?
JOHN GAY
Why is the hearse with scutcheons blazon'd round, And with the nodding plume of ostrich crown'd? ...
JOHN GAY
Good housewives all the winter's rage despise, Defended by the riding-hood's disguise; Or, und...
JOHN GAY
Adieu! she cries; and waved her lily hand.
JOHN GAY
Lions, wolves, and vultures don't live together in herds, droves or flocks. Of all animals of pr...
JOHN GAY
Give me, kind Heaven, a private station, A mind serene for contemplation: Title and profit I r...
JOHN GAY
Basically, I no longer work for anything but the sensation I have while working.
JOHN GAY
In every rank, or great or small, 'Tis industry supports us all.
JOHN GAY
I hate the man who builds his name on the ruins of another's fame.
JOHN GAY
Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.
JOHN GAY
"Is there no hope?" the sick man said, The silent doctor shook his head, And took his leave wi...
JOHN GAY
You'd have an instant decade-long waiting line.
JOHN GAY
Do like other widows - buy yourself weeds, and be cheerful.
JOHN GAY
Fools may our scorn, not envy raise, for envy is a kind of praise
JOHN GAY
The charge is prepared; the lawyers are met, / The judges all ranged (a terrible show!).
JOHN GAY
By ignorance is pride increased; Those most assume who know the least
JOHN GAY
(The bill) doesn't fix the system, it just focuses on enforcement.
JOHN GAY
Praising all alike, is praising none
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I felt good if they ran the 1-3-1 against the offense we're using. Then we went out there and didn't...
JOHN GAY
No one likes employer sanctions,
JOHN GAY
What will not luxury taste? Earth, sea, and air, Are daily ransack'd for the bill of fare. Bl...
JOHN GAY
When if or chance or hunger's powerful sway Directs the roving trout this fatal way, He greedi...
JOHN GAY
By outward show let's not be cheated; An ass should like an ass be treated.
JOHN GAY
Originality provokes originality.
JOHN GAY
A woman scorn'd is pitiless as fate, For then the dread of shame adds stings to hate.
JOHN GAY
'While there is life, there's hope,' he cried; 'Then why such haste?' so groaned and died
JOHN GAY
To cheat a man is nothing; but the woman must have fine parts, indeed, who cheats a woman
JOHN GAY
'Tis woman that seduces all mankind, / By her we first were taught the wheedling arts.
JOHN GAY
When we risk no contradiction, it prompts the tongue to deal in fiction
JOHN GAY
We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect...
JOHN GAY
We only part to meet again. / Change, as ye list, ye winds; my heart shall be / The faithful compass...
JOHN GAY
We are frustrated with the broken immigration system. It doesn't match the economic reality.
JOHN GAY
A fox may steal your hens, Sir, a whore your health and pence, Sir, your daughter rob your chest, Si...
JOHN GAY
Employers are frustrated because there is so much paperwork and oftentimes you don't know if things ...
JOHN GAY
I sipped each flower, / I changed ev'ry hour, / But here ev'ry flower is united.
JOHN GAY
Bring me a hundred reeds of decent growth,/ To make a pipe for my capacious mouth.
JOHN GAY
Can Love be controlled by advice?
JOHN GAY
All in the Downs the fleet was moored, / The streamers waving in the wind, / When black-eyed Susan c...
JOHN GAY
One wife is too much for most husbands to hear, / But two at a time there's no mortal can bear.
JOHN GAY
If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, the mist is dispelled when a woman appears
JOHN GAY
Corruption's not for modern date; It hath been tried in ev'ry state
JOHN GAY
Envy's a sharper spur than pay
JOHN GAY
What frenzy dictates, jealousy believes
JOHN GAY
In beauty, faults conspicuous grow; the smallest speck is seen on snow
JOHN GAY
She who has never loved has never lived.
JOHN GAY
The luxury of doing good surpasses every other personal enjoyment.
JOHN GAY
In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one.
JOHN GAY
How, like a moth, the simple maid / Still plays about the flame!
JOHN GAY
Those who in quarrels interpose - Must often wipe a bloody nose
JOHN GAY
I hate the man who builds his name on the ruins of another's fame
JOHN GAY
How happy could I be with either, / Were t'other dear charmer away! / But while ye thus tease me tog...
JOHN GAY
If with me you'll fondly stray, / Over the hills and far away.
JOHN GAY
It would impose fines of up to $25,000 for paperwork violations. How many businesses could withstand...
JOHN GAY
I'll study the tape and see. It's the things we've worked on the last two weeks. We've had enough pr...
JOHN GAY
We missed some shots during critical times of the game, and we also made some turnovers at crucial t...
JOHN GAY
The girls knew exactly what was at stake. I don't know if the pressure of that got to 'em. I think t...
JOHN GAY
I felt like we played a good game for the most part. But near the end, we played not to lose, instea...
JOHN GAY
The people who own the country ought to govern it
JOHN GAY
The jury has a right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy
JOHN GAY
We were able to settle down when we needed to.
JOHN GAY
There is a loud group of anti-immigration folks out there for whom this is the main issue they care ...
JOHN GAY
What he was doing is unrecognizable compared to what I do on a day-to-day basis.
JOHN GAY
The caps on green cards are a critically important issue both in dealing with the undocumented that ...
JOHN GAY
The word would quickly spread in Mexico and other countries that you don't need to risk your life in...
JOHN GAY
We both want the bill for different reasons. Immigrant advocates want a way for their people to get ...
JOHN GAY
Our defense is key to us right now. We've got to play good defense. That's our driving force.
JOHN GAY
Our Polly is a sad slut! nor heeds what we have taught her. / I wonder any man alive will ever rear ...
JOHN GAY
On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.
JOHN GAY
In every age and clime we see, / Two of a trade can ne'er agree.
JOHN GAY
Youth's the season made for joys, Love is then our duty
JOHN GAY
The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets, So he that tastes woman, woman, woman; He that tast...
JOHN GAY
Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil/ O'er books consumed the midnight oil?
JOHN GAY
I rage, I melt, I burn, / The feeble God has stabbed me to the heart.
JOHN GAY
Man may escape from rope and gun; Nay, some have outliv'd the doctor's pill: Who takes a woman must ...
JOHN GAY
I must have women / there is nothing unbends the mind like them.
JOHN GAY
A fox may steal your hens, sir, / . . . If lawyer's hand is fee'd sir, / He steals your whole estate...
JOHN GAY
Where yet was ever found a mother, / Who'd give her booby for another?
JOHN GAY
Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us, / And fires us / With courage, love and joy. / Women and win...
JOHN GAY
I know you lawyers can, with ease, twist words and meanings as you please
JOHN GAY
O ruddier than the cherry, / O sweeter than the berry, / O nymph more bright / Than moonshine night,...
JOHN GAY
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
JOHN GAY
What then in love can woman do? If we grow fond they shun us. And when we fly them, they pursue: But...
JOHN GAY
Margaret Sanger didn't just introduce the idea of birth control into our culture at large, she f...
ROXANE GAY
We were the only black family in my neighborhood for many years. Wherever we lived, we were often th...
ROXANE GAY
The madness of spring is so enticing. I love it when things are opening up and emerging from the gro...
ROSS GAY
Thirteen years I took on this last book.
GAY TALESE
Yes there is a little group of soccer aficionados, but I am not one of them.
GAY TALESE
Restaurants are a wonderful escape for me. And are for a lot of people.
GAY TALESE
I could come up with 50 stories that I am thinking about.
GAY TALESE
The reporter wrote with the hope that he would get a by-line in the Times, a testimony to his being ...
GAY TALESE
For example, many colleges in their writing programs teach some of my work.
GAY TALESE
Even after they had stopped modeling for Playboy and had settled down with other men to raise famili...
GAY TALESE
News, if unreported, has no impact. It might as well have not happened at all.
GAY TALESE
I write and rewrite and rewrite and write and like to turn in what I think is finished work.
GAY TALESE
Better that you should take the chance of trying something that is close to your heart, you think is...
GAY TALESE
To have a liberal temperament is a kind of psychological boon, To be able to understand that someone...
PETER GAY
The real problem is what to do with the problem-solvers after the problems are solved.
GAY TALESE
The beauty of the human mind is that any decision that is made can be unmade.
GAY HENDRICKS
As we free our breath (through diaphragmatic breathing) we relax our emotions and let go our body te...
GAY HENDRICKS
I would rather be a bad feminist than no feminist at all.
ROXANE GAY
One of the many things I have always loved about writing, not to be confused with publishing, is tha...
ROXANE GAY
People go to restaurants for so many different reasons. To court a girl, to make some deal. Maybe to...
GAY TALESE
Most open letters undoubtedly come from a good place, rising out of genuine outrage or concern or ca...
ROXANE GAY
What worries me is that 'post-racial' America is not that different from the Americas that h...
ROXANE GAY
I'm sick of hearing, thinking and talking about Woody Allen. Nonetheless, the allegations agains...
ROXANE GAY
I think the world is ambivalent about feminism. So I can't blame college students. I think they&...
ROXANE GAY
I love, but I am not entirely sure how to be loved: how to be seen and known for the utterly flawed ...
ROXANE GAY
Pink is my favourite colour. I used to say my favourite colour was black to be cool, but it is pink ...
ROXANE GAY
Social media is something of a double-edged sword. At its best, social media offers unprecedented op...
ROXANE GAY
Long walks on the beach are the supposed holy grail of a romantic evening. The beach becomes a kind ...
ROXANE GAY
I have never dreamed of being a princess. I have not longed for Prince Charming. I have and do long ...
ROXANE GAY
There's something about beautiful moments in sports that alters our experience of time. And I...
ROSS GAY
I eat 230 grams of protein daily, 308 grams of carbohydrates, maybe 70 grams of fat. I can have one ...
TYSON GAY
It's an amusing idea to some, this feminism thing - this audacious notion that women should be a...
ROXANE GAY
We bear witness to the worst of human brutality, retweet what we have witnessed, and then we move on...
ROXANE GAY
I am failing as a woman. I am failing as a feminist. To freely accept the feminist label would not b...
ROXANE GAY
It would be easy to assume that the open letter is a symptom of the Internet age. Such is not the ca...
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All too often, when we see injustices, both great and small, we think, That's terrible, but we do no...
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I want to find that defining moment that you're satisfied and you've done what you want to d...
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The Park Avenue of poodles and polished brass; it is cab country, tip-town, glassville, a window-wa...
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A little girl and her father were walking along in the evening. She was fascinated by the stars, and...
FRANCIS GAY
I cut an imposing figure. I am large, and I'm tall, and I have tattoos. I am actually really qui...
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I am totally down with disagreement. I don't like Haterade, but disagreement is wonderful. When ...
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It's disheartening that people think that Donald Sterling is the outlier and that he's the e...
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