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Quotes from John Gay

There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self.
~ John Gay
A miss for pleasure, and a wife for breed.
~ John Gay
On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.
~ John Gay
The coquets of both sexes are self-lovers, and that is a love no other whatever can dispossess.
~ John Gay
And when a lady's in the case, You know, all other things give place.
~ 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 a pretend friend is worse.
~ John Gay
A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much
~ John Gay
Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!
~ John Gay
Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us, And fires us With courage, love and joy. Women and wine should life employ. Is there ought else on earth desirous?
~ John Gay
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.
~ John Gay
In every age and clime we see Two of a trade can never agree.
~ John Gay
The charge is prepared; the lawyers are met; The judges all ranged (a terrible show!) I go, undismay'd. For death is a debt, A debt on demand. So take what I owe.
~ John Gay
A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much
~ John Gay
Love is so whimsical in both sexes that it is impossible to be lasting. But my heart is particular and contradicts my own observation.
~ 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
Life is a jest, and all things show it, I thought so once, and now I know it.
~ John Gay
Variety's the source of joy below, From whence still fresh-revolving pleasures flow, In books and love the mind one end pursues, And only change the expiring flames renews.
~ John Gay
I hate the man who builds his name; On ruins of another's fame
~ John Gay
MRS. PEACHUM How the mother is to be pitied who has handsome daughters! Locks, bolts, bars and lectures of morality are nothing to them – they break through them all.
~ John Gay
Gulliver was soon being read from the cabinet council to the nursery.
~ John Gay
Life's a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.
~ John Gay
Murder is as fashionable a crime as a man can be guilty of.
~ John Gay
The comfortable estate of widowhood, is the only hope that keeps up a wife's spirits
~ John Gay
The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets.
~ John Gay