166 Quotes by William Congreve

I know a lady that loves to talk so incessantly, she won't give an echo fair play; she has that everlasting rotation of tongue that an echo must wait till she dies before it can catch her last words!

There are come Critics so with Spleen diseased, They scarcely come inclining to be pleased: And sure he must have more than mortal Skill, Who please one against his Will.

Every man plays the fool once in his live, but to marry is playing the fool all one’s life long.

Heav’n hath no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn’d, Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn’d.

Defer not till to-morrow to be wise, To-morrow’s Sun to thee may never rise; Or should to-morrow chance to cheer thy sight With her enlivening and unlook’d for light, How grateful will appear her dawning rays! As favours unexpected doubly please.

Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. I’ve read that things inanimate have moved, and, as with living souls, have been inform’d, by magic numbers and persuasive sound.

No, I’m no enemy to learning; it hurts not me.

Say what you will, ’tis better to be left than never to have been loved.

Marriage indeed may qualify the fury of his passion, but it very rarely mends a man’s manners.