William Congreve

Each deceiver to his cost may find That marriage frauds too oft are paid in kind.

O, she is the antidote to desire.

Thou art a retailer of phrases, and dost deal in remnants of remnants, like a maker of pincushions; thou art in truth (metaphorically speaking) a speaker of shorthand.

Let us be very strange and well-bred: Let us be as strange as if we had been married a great while; And as well-bred as if we were not married at all.

I nauseate walking; 'tis a country diversion, I loathe the country.

If there's delight in love, 'tis when I see That heart which others bleed for, bleed for me.

Love's but a frailty of the mind, When 'tis not with ambition joined.

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

They come together like the Coroner's Inquest, to sit upon the murdered reputations of the week.

For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, And though a late, a sure reward succeeds.

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.

'Tis well enough for a servant to be bred at an University. But the education is a little too pedantic for a gentleman.

Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing.

Women are like tricks by sleight of hand, Which, to admire, we should not understand.

I know that's a secret, for it's whispered every where.

O fie, miss, you must not kiss and tell.

I came up stairs into the world, for I was born in a cellar.

Ferdinand Mendez Pinto was but a type of thee, thou liar of the first magnitude.

I warrant you, if he danced till doomsday, he thought I was to pay the piper.

Thou liar of the first magnitude.

And the prettiest foot! Oh, if a man could but fasten his eyes to her feet, as they steal in and out, and play at bo-peep under her petticoats!

Now will I, in my old way, discover the whole and real truth of the matter to him, that he may not suspect one word on’t. No mask like open truth to cover lies, As to go naked is the best disguise. Act V, scene iv

Though marriage makes man and wife one flesh, it leaves 'em still two fools.

Retired to their tea and scandal, according to their ancient custom.