On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.
About John Gay
John Gaywas an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for The Beggar’s Opera (1728), a ballad opera.
More quotes from John Gay
The comfortable estate of widowhood is the only hope that keeps up a wife’s spirits.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
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.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one’s self.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
She who has never loved has never lived.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
Shadow owes its birth to light.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
Gamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their whores, but they are very devils to their wives.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise. For envy is a kind of praise.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy and delight to save.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow thee.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
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.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
O Polly, you might have toyed and kissed, by keeping men off, you keep them on.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
I must have women – there is nothing unbends the mind like them.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
We only part to meet again.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
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.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who’ve no retreat.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
But his kiss was so sweet, and so closely he pressed, that I languished and pined till I granted the rest.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretended friend is worse.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
The brave love mercy, and delight to save.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
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.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)
Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.
English poet and playwright (1685-1732)