William Congreve Quotes

1670–1729, British Dramatist
quotes
13
topics
12
Origin
Topic
“Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life.”
VerifiedLove for Love (1695), Act IV, scene xx · evidenceJoy
“I know that's a secret, for it's whispered everywhere.”
VerifiedLove for Love (1695), Act III, scene iii · evidenceSecrets
“I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of being dull.”
VerifiedThe Old Bachelor (1693), Act II, scene vii · evidenceConversation
“Invention flags, his brain goes muddy, and black despair succeeds brown study.”
Verified"An Impossible Thing", line 105 (1720) · evidenceInspiration
“Grief walks upon the heels of pleasure; married in haste, we repent at leisure.”
Marriage
“Blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, and though a late, a sure reward succeeds.”
VerifiedThe Mourning Bride (1697), Act V, scene 12 · evidenceRewards
“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.”
Anger
“Music has charms to soothe the savage beast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”
Music
“If there's delight in love, 'Tis when I see that heart, which others bleed for, bleed for me.”
VerifiedThe Way of the World (1700), Act III, scene xii · evidenceLove
“They come together like the Coroner's Inquest, to sit upon the murdered reputations of the week.”
VerifiedThe Way of the World (1700), Act I, scene i · evidenceGossip
“A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant; one argues a decay of parts, as to other of beauty.”
Sincerity
“'Tis well enough for a servant to be bred at an University. But the education is a little too pedantic for a gentleman.”
VerifiedLove for Love (1695), Act V, scene iii · evidenceColleges and Universities
“In my conscience I believe the baggage loves me, for she never speaks well of me herself, nor suffers any body else to rail at me.”
VerifiedThe Old Bachelor (1693), Act I, scene iii · evidenceCritics and Criticism