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

“Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise. For envy is a kind of praise.”

Kind May Fool Praise Raises Envy Scorn Envious Envied

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:

“Man may escape from rope and gun; Nay, some have outlived the doctor's pill: Who takes a woman must be undone, That basilisk is sure to kill. The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets, So he that tastes woman, woman, woman, He that tastes woman, ruin meets.”

Men May Lost Sweet Taste Losing Gun Doctors Ruins Rope Pills Men Women Undone Treacle

Book:The Beggar's Opera

Source: The Beggar's Opera

“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.”

Men May Ten Prove Curse Sheep Now And Then Foe

Book:The Fables of John Gay Illustrated

Source: The Fables of John Gay Illustrated

“Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each stone will wrench the unwary step aside; The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein, The cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain; And when too short the modish shoes are worn, You'll judge the seasons by your shooting corn.”

Source: Poetry and prose of John Gay

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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