Quote#Work
Whence thy learning? Hath thy toil
Quote byJohn Gay · 1685–1732
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Fables (1727), Introduction, "The Shepherd and the Philosopher"; "Midnight oil" was a common phrase, used by Quarles, Shenstone, Cowper, Lloyd, and others..
English (original)
Whence thy learning? Hath thy toil O'er books consumed the midnight oil?
— 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.
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.
'Twas when the seas were roaring With hollow blasts of wind, A damsel lay deploring, All on a rock reclined.
Adieu, she cried, and waved her lily hand.