I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of being dull.
About William Congreve
William Congrevewas an English playwright, poet and Whig politician. His works, which form an important component of Restoration literature, were known for their use of satire and the comedy of manners genre.
More quotes from William Congreve
Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.
British writer (1670-1729)
I confess freely to you, I could never look long upon a monkey, without very mortifying reflections.
British writer (1670-1729)
They are at the end of the gallery; retired to their tea and scandal, according to their ancient custom.
British writer (1670-1729)
A wit should be no more sincere than a woman constant.
British writer (1670-1729)
He who closes his ears to the views of others shows little confidence in the integrity of his own views.
British writer (1670-1729)
Invention flags, his brain goes muddy, and black despair succeeds brown study.
British writer (1670-1729)
Never go to bed angry, stay up and fight.
British writer (1670-1729)
Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing.
British writer (1670-1729)
She likes herself, yet others hates, For that which in herself she prizes; And while she laughs at them, forgets She is the thing that she despises.
British writer (1670-1729)
A little disdain is not amiss; a little scorn is alluring.
British writer (1670-1729)
In my conscience I believe the baggage loves me, for she never speaks well of me herself, nor suffers any body else to rail at me.
British writer (1670-1729)
‘Tis well enough for a servant to be bred at an University. But the education is a little too pedantic for a gentleman.
British writer (1670-1729)
A hungry wolf at all the herd will run, In hopes, through many, to make sure of one.
British writer (1670-1729)
If this be not love, it is madness, and then it is pardonable.
British writer (1670-1729)
I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of being dull.
British writer (1670-1729)
There is in true beauty, as in courage, something which narrow souls cannot dare to admire.
British writer (1670-1729)
To find a young fellow that is neither a wit in his own eye, nor a fool in the eye of the world, is a very hard task.
British writer (1670-1729)
Beauty is the lover’s gift.
British writer (1670-1729)
No, I’m no enemy to learning; it hurts not me.
British writer (1670-1729)
They come together like the Coroner’s Inquest, to sit upon the murdered reputations of the week.
British writer (1670-1729)
Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear.
British writer (1670-1729)
Come, come, leave business to idlers, and wisdom to fools: they have need of ’em: wit be my faculty, and pleasure my occupation, and let father Time shake his glass.
British writer (1670-1729)
Courtship is to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play.
British writer (1670-1729)
If there’s delight in love, ‘Tis when I see that heart, which others bleed for, bleed for me.
British writer (1670-1729)
Say what you will, ’tis better to be left than never to have been loved.
British writer (1670-1729)
Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.
British writer (1670-1729)
Wit must be foiled by wit: cut a diamond with a diamond.
British writer (1670-1729)
Grief walks upon the heels of pleasure; married in haste, we repent at leisure.
British writer (1670-1729)
I know that’s a secret, for it’s whispered every where.
British writer (1670-1729)
You are a woman: you must never speak what you think; your words must contradict your thoughts, but your actions may contradict your words.
British writer (1670-1729)