27 Quotes By John Gay, The Author Of Beggar's Opera
British Poet and Playwright, john Gay is best known for ‘The Beggar’s Opera’, a ballad opera. Orphaned at the age of 10, John studied at a local school and at the age of 17 he started working as a silk dealer in London. ‘Wine’ was the first poem published by him. Later he published his first prose titled ‘The Present State of Wit’. During 1712-1714 he is said to have published most of his work. In the year 1713, Gay published two essays, six poems and a play. His poem ‘the Arts of Walking the Streets of London’ was published in three books. John had a close association with Alexander Pope, another prominent writer of the time, who helped him in producing a skit titled ‘What d’ye calls it? One of his most noted works was ‘The Beggar’s Opera’, which was a ballad opera. This play became so popular that it ran for more than sixty nights. His work and poery are a great source of wise, funny and serious thoughts about life, love, friendship, God, happiness, and other things. His words are famous as his quotes and people often quotes these to this day. We have collected some of his most famous quotes from his works.
A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much
Shadow owes its birth to light.
My Own Epitaph Life's a jest, and all things show it. I thought so once, and now I know it.
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.
An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretended friend is worse.
There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self.
Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy and delight to save.
Love is so whimsical in both sexes that it is impossible to be lasting. But my heart is particular and contradicts my own observation.
Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.
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.
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
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.
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.
On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.
The comfortable estate of widowhood is the only hope that keeps up a wife's spirits.
No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.
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.
Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise. For envy is a kind of praise.
She who has never loved has never lived.
We only part to meet again.
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.
The brave love mercy, and delight to save.
Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow thee.
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.
Gulliver was soon being read "from the cabinet council to the nursery".
