John Gay Quotes

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John Gay, an English poet and playwright, is best known for his satirical work, The Beggar's Opera, which challenged the social norms of his time and laid the groundwork for the modern musical. Gay's creative voice and commitment to blending humor with social commentary have made his work timeless. His boldness in addressing important societal issues through art has inspired countless writers and artists. Gay's legacy teaches us the power of humor, creativity, and the importance of using art to challenge the status quo and provoke thought.

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

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

Love, Kiss, Rest

22

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

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

22

"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."

"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."

27

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

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

Love, Cowards, Delight, Mercy

24

"Shadow owes its birth to light."

"Shadow owes its birth to light."

Independence, Light, Shadow

30

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

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

Friendship, Friend, May, Open

23

"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."

"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."

Morality, Company, Contempt, Gentleman, World

21

"The brave love mercy, and delight to save."

"The brave love mercy, and delight to save."

Love, Delight, Mercy

30

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

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

Conflict, Dependence, Self

39

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

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

Morality, Wives

23

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

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

43

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

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

Friendship, Choice, Evil, Friends, Name

37

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

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

Woman, Women, Mind, Nothing

29

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

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

Education, Forget

22

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

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

Intervention, Quarrels

33

"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."

"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."

25

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

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

Envy, Fools, May, Praise

33

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