John Gay
John Gay
John Gaywas an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera, a ballad opera. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peachum, became household names...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth30 June 1685
women mind
I must have women - there is nothing unbends the mind like them.
men too-much
A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much
life men england
Whoever heard a man of fortune in England talk of the necessaries of life? . . . Whether we can afford it or no, we must have superfluities.
gentleman world rogues
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.
wine beer yield
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
art firsts taught
'T is woman that seduces all mankind; By her we first were taught the wheedling arts.
victory retreat conquer
No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.
giving heaven mind
Give me, kind heaven, a private station, a mind serene for contemplation.
wise heart giving
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.
depression heart men
If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispelled when a woman appears.
book flames joy
Variety's the source of joy below, From whence still fresh-revolving pleasures flow, In books and love the mind one end pursues, And only change the expiring flames renews.
responsibility self dependence-on-others
There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self.
friends light burden
To friendship every burden's light.
powerful sea fishing
When if or chance or hunger's powerful sway Directs the roving trout this fatal way, He greedily sucks in the twining bait, And tugs and nibbles the fallacious meat. Now, happy fisherman; now twitch the line! How thy rod bends! behold, the prize is thine!