John Gay

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

— John Gay

What frenzy dictates, jealousy believes

— John Gay

Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil O'er books consumed the midnight oil?

— John Gay

To cheat a man is nothing; but the woman must have fine parts, indeed, who cheats a woman

— John Gay

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

— John Gay

Fair is the kingcup that in meadow blows, Fair is the daisy that beside her grows.

— John Gay

'T is woman that seduces all mankind; By her we first were taught the wheedling arts.

— John Gay

Fill it up. I take as large draughts of liquor as I did of love. I hate a flincher in either.

— John Gay

A rich rogue nowadays is fit company for any gentleman; and the world, my dear, hath not such a contempt for roguery…

— John Gay

Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the…

— John Gay

A Wolf eats sheep but now and then; Ten thousands are devour'd by men. An open foe may prove a curse, but…

— John Gay

A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much

— John Gay

[Gulliver was soon being read] "from the cabinet council to the nursery".

— John Gay

Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!

— John Gay

Exercise thy lasting youth defends.

— John Gay

The careful insect 'midst his works I view, Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew, With golden treasures load his little…

— John Gay

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

— John Gay

What will not luxury taste? Earth, sea, and air, Are daily ransack'd for the bill of fare. Blood stuffed in skins is…

— John Gay

Look round, the wrecks of play behold; Estates dismember'd, mortgaged, sold! Their owners now to jails confin'd, Show equal poverty of mind.

— John Gay

I never, with important air, In conversation overbear. . . . . My tongue within my lips I rein; For who talks…

— John Gay

But money, wife, is the true Fuller's Earth for reputations, there is not a spot or a stain but what it can…

— John Gay

She who has never lov'd, has never liv'd.

— John Gay

I know you lawyers can, with ease, twist words and meanings as you please

— John Gay

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er, The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

— John Gay

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

— John Gay