Quotes from William Congreve

Grief walks upon the heels of pleasure; married in haste, we repent at leisure.

Invention flags, his brain goes muddy, and black despair succeeds brown study.

A woman only obliges a man to secrecy, that she may have the pleasure of telling herself.

There is nothing more unbecoming a man of quality than to laugh ... 'tis such a vulgar expression of the passion!

Mr Witwould: "Pray, madam, do you pin up your hair with all your letters? I find I must keep copies." Mrs Millamant: "Only with those in verse.... I never pin up my hair with prose."

Poetry the eldest sister of all arts and parent of most.

Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness, speak cheering words while their ears can hear, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier by them.

Grief walks upon the heels of pleasure; married in haste, we repent at leisure.

Music has charms to soothe the savage breast To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing, through the overtaking and possessing of a wish discovers the folly of the chase.

Guilt is ever at a loss, and confusion waits upon it.

A wit should be no more sincere than a woman constant.

Music hath charm to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

Blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, and though a late, a sure reward succeeds.

Here she comes i' faith full sail, with her fan spread and streamers out, and a shoal of fools for tenders.—Ha, no, I cry her mercy!

Courtship is to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play.

I nauseate walking; 'tis a country diversion, I loathe the country.

Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear.

O, she is the antidote to desire.

Beauty is the lover's gift.

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.

Retired to their tea and scandal, according to their ancient custom.

There is in true beauty, as in courage, something which narrow souls cannot dare to admire.

Music has charms to soothe a savage breast,To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.