Quotes from George Etherege

When love grows diseased, the best thing we can do is to put it to a violent death. I cannot endure the torture of a lingering and consumptive passion.

Next to the coming to a good understanding with a new mistress, I love a quarrel with an old one.

We are not masters of our own affections; our inclinations dailyalter: now we love pleasure, and anon we shall dote on business. Human frailty will have it so, and who can help it?

Then since we mortal lovers are, Ask not how long our love may last; But while it does, let us take care Each minute be with pleasure passed: Were it not madness to deny To live because we're sure to die?

Love gilds us over and makes us show fine things to one another for a time, but soon the gold wears off, and then again the native brass appears.

Nature well drawn, and wit, must now give place To gaudy nonsense and to dull grimace: Nor is it strange that you should like so much That kind of wit, for most of yours is such.

Were it not madness to deny To live because we're sure to die?

Next to coming to a good understanding with a new mistress, I love a quarrel with an old one.