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Quote by John Gay

“I never, with important air, In conversation overbear. . . . . My tongue within my lips I rein; For who talks much must talk in vain.”

Quote by John Gay

Book:Gay's Fables: In One Volume Complete

Work

Gay's Fables: In One Volume Complete

This book is a compilation of various fables, showcasing the wit and moral lessons of the author, Gay. more

Author

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. more

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“What will not luxury taste? Earth, sea, and air, Are daily ransack'd for the bill of fare. Blood stuffed in skins is British Christians' food, And France robs marshes of the croaking brood.”

Earth Christian Air Blood Sea Taste Eating Skins Bills British Luxury France Marshes

Author:John Gay

“Envy's a sharper spur than pay: No author ever spar'd a brother; Wits are gamecocks to one another.”

Pay Brother Envy Wit Spurs Authorship

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:

“I cannot raise my worth too high; Of what vast consequence am I! "Not of the importance you suppose," Replies a Flea upon his nose; "Be humble, learn thyself to scan; Know, pride was never made for man.”

Knows Men Made Pride Consequence Importance Raises Humble Noses Thyself Be Humble Fleas

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:

“Of all the fools that pride can boast, A Coxcomb claims distinction most.”

Pride Fool Claims Distinction Boast

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

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

“Who friendship with a knave hath made, Is judged a partner in the trade.”

Made Trade Partners Judged Knaves

Book:The Fables of John Gay Illustrated

Source: The Fables of John Gay Illustrated

“Learning by study must be won; 'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.”

Learning Study Son

Book:Fables and Other Poems, by John Gay: With a Biographical Sketch of the Author..

Source: Fables and Other Poems, by John Gay: With a Biographical Sketch of the Author..

“Is there no hope? the sick man said, The silent doctor shook his head, And took his leave with signs of sorrow, Despairing of his fee to-morrow.”

Men Said Sorrow Doctors Sick Medicine Silent No Hope Fees Morrow Sick Man

Author:John Gay

“So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er, The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.”

Men Results Banquets

Author:John Gay

“Good housewives all the winter's rage despise, Defended by the riding-hood's disguise; Or, underneath the umbrella's oily shade, Safe through the wet on clinking pattens tread, Let Persian dames the unbrella's ribs display, To guard their beauties from the sunny ray; Or sweating slaves support the shady load, When eastern monarchs show their state abroad; Britain in winter only knows its aid, To guard from chilling showers the walking maid.”

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

“Why is the hearse with scutcheons blazon'd round, And with the nodding plume of ostrich crown'd? No; the dead know it not, nor profit gain; It only serves to prove the living vain.”

Knows Prove Gains Rounds Profit Vain Crowns Nodding Ostriches

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

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