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John Gay Quotes (1685-1732)
Poet
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.
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Explore our curated collection of the most famous and impactful John Gay quotes.
“From wine what sudden friendship springs!”
“I must have women—there is nothing unbends the mind like them.”
“Lest men suspect your tale untrue,
Keep probability in view.”
Keep probability in view.”
“Those who in quarrels intepose
Must often wipe a bloody nose.”
Must often wipe a bloody nose.”
“Where yet was ever found a mother
Who'd give her booby for another?”
Who'd give her booby for another?”
“In beauty faults conspicuous grow;
The smallest speck is seen on snow.”
The smallest speck is seen on snow.”
“When we risk no contradiction,
It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction.”
It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction.”
John Gay Quotes by Topic
Find exactly what you are looking for by browsing this categorized list of John Gay quotes by topic.
John Gay on Friendship 5 quotes
“To friendship every burden's light.”
John Gay on Learning 3 quotes
View all 3 quotes on Learning →John Gay on Judgment 3 quotes
“A justice with grave justices shall sit; He praise their wisdom, they admire his wit.”
John Gay on Parting 2 quotes
View all 2 quotes on Parting →John Gay on Studying 2 quotes
View all 2 quotes on Studying →John Gay on Flowers 2 quotes
View all 2 quotes on Flowers →John Gay on Conversation 2 quotes
“With thee conversing, I forget the way.”
John Gay on Life 2 quotes
View all 2 quotes on Life →John Gay on Envy 2 quotes
View all 2 quotes on Envy →What John Gay Said About Others
Discover personal opinions John Gay shared regarding contemporaries.
John Gay on Women 7 quotes
View all 7 quotes on Women →John Gay on Wives 2 quotes
“They'll tell thee, sailors, when away, In every port a mistress find.”
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.