Quote

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

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
Pay
Authorship
Another
Spur
Ever
Wits
Spurs
Wit
Author
Envy
Spar
Brother
Sharper

More quotes by John Gay

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[Gulliver was soon being read] from the cabinet council to the nursery.
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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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Fair words cost nothing.
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The charge is prepared the lawyers are met The judges all ranged (a terrible show!) I go, undismay'd. For death is a debt, A debt on demand. So take what I owe.
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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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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.
John Gay
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Envy's a sharper spur than pay.
John Gay
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I must have women - there is nothing unbends the mind like them.
John Gay
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To frame the little animal, provide All the gay hues that wait on female pride: Let Nature guide thee sometimes golden wire The shining bellies of the fly require The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail, Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail.
John Gay
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Around the steel no tortur'd worm shall twine, No blood of living insect stain my line Let me, less cruel, cast the feather'd hook, With pliant rod athwart the pebbled brook, Silent along the mazy margin stray, And with the fur-wrought fly delude the prey.
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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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Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!
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The luxury of doing good surpasses every other personal enjoyment.
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In beauty faults conspicuous grow The smallest speck is seen on snow.
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Gamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their whores, but they are very devils to their wives.
John Gay
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To friendship every burden's light.
John Gay
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Music might tame and civilize wild beasts, but 'tis evident it never yet could tame and civilize musicians.
John Gay
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Praising all alike, is praising none.
John Gay
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Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise. For envy is a kind of praise.
John Gay
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No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.
John Gay