John Gay, in My Own Epitaph, inscribed on Gay’s monument in Westminster Abbey; also quoted as "I thought so once; but now I know it".
“
Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; and now I know it.
— John Gay on Now
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; and now I know it." in the context of "John Gay, in My Own Epitaph, inscribed on Gay’s monument in Westminster Abbey; also quoted as "I thought so once; but now I know it"." to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Now" (G)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
About John Gay
John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera (1728), set to music by Johann Christoph Pepusch. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peachum, became household names.
About John Gay
John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera (1728), set to music by Johann Christoph Pepusch. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peachum, became household names.
View all quotes →