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Envy's a sharper spur than pay.

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
Sharper
Spur
Spurs
Envy
Pay

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Can love be controll'd by advice?
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Fair words cost nothing.
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Lions, wolves, and vultures don't live together in herds, droves or flocks. Of all animals of prey, man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his neighbor, and yet we herd together.
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Envy's a sharper spur than pay: No author ever spar'd a brother Wits are gamecocks to one another.
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Some folks of cider make a rout And cider's well enough no doubt When better liquors fail But wine, that's richer, better still, Ev'n wine itself (deny't who will) Must yield to nappy ale
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To friendship every burden's light.
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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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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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Youth's the season made for joys, Love is then our duty.
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Fair is the kingcup that in meadow blows, Fair is the daisy that beside her grows.
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Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married? Baggage!
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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.
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[Gulliver was soon being read] from the cabinet council to the nursery.
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Praising all alike, is praising none.
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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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Beasts kill for hunger, men for pay.
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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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In beauty faults conspicuous grow The smallest speck is seen on snow.
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