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Shall ignorance of good and ill Dare to direct the eternal will? Seek virtue, and of that possest, To Providence resign the rest.

John Gay

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John Gay
Age: 47 †
Born: 1685
Born: June 30
Died: 1732
Died: December 4
Librettist
Playwright
Poet
Writer
Barnstaple
Devon
Direct
Ignorance
Eternal
Resign
Rest
Providence
Virtue
Ill
Shall
Dare
Good
Eternity
Seek

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Beasts kill for hunger, men for pay.
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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.
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The luxury of doing good surpasses every other personal enjoyment.
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Nor love, not honor, wealth nor power, can give the heart a cheerful hour when health is lost. Be timely wise With health all taste of pleasure flies.
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Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil O'er books consumed the midnight oil?
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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.
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Learning by study must be won 'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.
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Fair words cost nothing.
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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?
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A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much
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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.
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In beauty faults conspicuous grow The smallest speck is seen on snow.
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Music might tame and civilize wild beasts, but 'tis evident it never yet could tame and civilize musicians.
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[Gulliver was soon being read] from the cabinet council to the nursery.
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Envy's a sharper spur than pay.
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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.
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Who hath not heard the rich complain Of surfeits, and corporeal pain? He barr'd from every use of wealth, Envies the ploughman's strength and health.
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If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispelled when a woman appears.
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Can you support the expense of a husband, hussy, in gaming, drinking and whoring? Have you money enough to carry on the daily quarrels of man and wife about who shall squander most?
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No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.
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