Quote#Truth
Through all the Employments of Life
Quote byJohn Gay · 1685–1732
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Beggar's Opera (1728), Peachum, Act I, air 1.
English (original)
Through all the Employments of Life Each Neighbour abuses his Brother; Whore and Rogue they call Husband and Wife: All Professions be-rogue one another: The Priest calls the Lawyer a Cheat, The Lawyer be-knaves the Divine: And the Statesman, because he's so great, Thinks his Trade as honest as mine.
— John Gay
More from John Gay
Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; and now I know it.
All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd.
So comes a reckoning when the banquet's o'er,— The dreadful reckoning, and men smile no more.
'Twas when the seas were roaring With hollow blasts of wind, A damsel lay deploring, All on a rock reclined.
My lodging is on the cold ground, And hard, very hard, is my fare, But that which grieves me more Is the coldness of my dear.
Adieu, she cried, and waved her lily hand.