John Gay Quotes

Poet

John Gay, born on June 30, 1685 and died on December 4, 1732, was an outstanding English poet. He is best known for his satirical comedy, 'The Beggar's Opera,' which had a profound impact on the development of musical theater.

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All Men Ifs Love Envy Knows Mind Dear Giving Kind Made May Praise Pride Raises Sea Should Shows Women Animal Care

Famous John Gay Quotes

“What then in love can woman do? If we grow fond they shun us. And when we fly them, they pursue: But leave us when they've won us.”

Ifs Love Grows Affection Pursue

Book:The Poetical Works of John Gay: Translations, Prologues and epilogues, Fables, Poems from 'Gay's chair', Miscellaneous pieces, Songs and ballads

Source: The Poetical Works of John Gay: Translations, Prologues and epilogues, Fables, Poems from 'Gay's chair', Miscellaneous pieces, Songs and ballads

“If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispelled when a woman appears.”

Ifs Men Heart Care Depression Caring Mist

Book:The Beggar's Opera

Source: The Beggar's Opera

“You can only be called a hypocrite if you judge others first.”

Ifs Firsts Judging Judgement Hypocrite

Author:John Gay

“Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married? Baggage!”

Ifs Thinking Should Long Together Mother Married Should Have Baggage Living Together

Author:John Gay

“If with me you'd fondly stray Over the hills and far away.”

Ifs Hills Far Away Over The Hill

Author:John Gay

“If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispell'd when a woman appears; Like the notes of a fiddle, she sweetly, sweetly Raises the spirits, and charms our ears.”

Ifs Men Heart Care Spirit Ears Raises Notes Charm Mist Fiddle

Author:John Gay

“When if or chance or hunger's powerful sway Directs the roving trout this fatal way, He greedily sucks in the twining bait, And tugs and nibbles the fallacious meat. Now, happy fisherman; now twitch the line! How thy rod bends! behold, the prize is thine!”

Ifs Way Lines Chance Powerful Sea Rivers Hunger Fishes Boat Meat Lakes Fishing Prize Fisherman Bait Trout Roving

Book:The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:

Source: The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:

About the Author

Born: June 30, 1685
Died: December 4, 1732
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 97

Books & Sources

The Beggar's OperaRelated source material

The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:Related source material

The Poetical Works of John Gay: With a Life of the AuthorRelated source material

Gay's Fables and other poems: Cotton's visions in verse ; Moore's Fables for the female sex ; with sketches of the authors' livesRelated source material

The Fables of John Gay IllustratedRelated source material

The Beggar's Opera and PollyRelated source material

The Poetical worksRelated source material

Fables ... In one volume completeRelated source material

Gay's Fables: In One Volume CompleteRelated source material

Selected poemsRelated source material

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