John Gay > Quotes

“A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera

“My Own Epitaph
Life's a jest, and all things show it.
I thought so once, and now I know it.”
― John Gay

“Love is so whimsical in both sexes that it is impossible to be lasting. But my heart is particular and contradicts my own observation.”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera

“Life is a jest, and all things show it, I thought so once, and now I know it.”
― John Gay

“MRS. PEACHUM
How the mother is to be pitied who has handsome daughters! Locks, bolts, bars and lectures of morality are nothing to them – they break through them all.”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera

“Variety's the source of joy below, From whence still fresh-revolving pleasures flow, In books and love the mind one end pursues, And only change the expiring flames renews.”
― John Gay

“I hate the man who builds his name; On ruins of another's fame”
― John Gay

“Gulliver was soon being read "from the cabinet council to the nursery".”
― John Gay

“Murder is as fashionable a crime as a man can be guilty of.”
― John Gay, The Beggar'S Opera

“The comfortable estate of widowhood, is the only hope that keeps up a wife's spirits”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera

“Life's a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.”
― John Gay

“MRS. PEACHUM Well, Polly; as far as one woman can forgive another, I forgive thee.—Your father is too fond of you, hussy. POLLY Then all my sorrows are at an end. MRS. PEACHUM A mighty likely speech in troth, for a wench who is just married!”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera

“Every man hath a right to enjoy life.”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera / Polly

“MACHEATH Is there any power, any force that could tear me from thee? You might sooner tear a pension out of the hands of a courtier, a fee from a lawyer, a pretty woman from a looking glass, or any woman from quadrille.—But to tear me from thee is impossible! AIR XVI—Over the Hills and Far Away Were I laid on Greenland’s coast, And in my arms embrac’d my lass; Warm amidst eternal frost, Too soon the half-year’s night would pass.”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera

“...money is made for the free-hearted and generous, and where is the injury of taking from another, what he hath not the heart to make use of?”
― John Gay

“AIR VII—Oh London Is a Fine Town Our Polly is a sad slut! nor heeds what we have taught her. I wonder any man alive will ever rear a daughter! For she must have both hoods and gowns, and hoops to swell her pride, With scarfs and stays, and gloves and lace; and she will have men beside; And when she’s dressed with care and cost, all tempting, fine and gay, As men should serve a cucumber, she flings herself away. Our Polly is a sad slut! etc.”
― John Gay, The Beggar's Opera

“The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets.”
― John Gay