W. S. Gilbert Quotes

Is life a boon?
If so it must befall
That death when e're he call
Must call too soon.

Yes, but you don't go!

The idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone,
All centuries but this and every country but his own.

Of that there is no manner of doubt—
No probable, possible shadow of doubt—
No possible doubt whatever.

As innocent as a new-laid egg.

In enterprise of martial kind,
When there was any fighting,
He led his regiment from behind—
He found it less exciting.

Against our wills, papa—against our wills!

...but it's an unjust world, and virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances.

She may very well pass for forty three
In the dusk with the light behind her.

My eyes are fully open to my awful situation, I shall go at once to Roderic and make him an oration,
I shall tell him I've recovered my forgotten moral senses, and I don't care tuppence ha'penny for any consequences.
Now I do not want to perish by the sword or by the dagger, but a martyr may indulge a little pardonable swagger
And a word or two of compliment my vanity would flatter, but I've got to die to-morrow, so it really doesn't matter!

The end is easily foretold,
When every blessed thing you hold
Is made of silver, or of gold,
You long for simple pewter.
When you have nothing else to wear
But cloth of gold and satins rare,
For cloth of gold you cease to care—
Up goes the price of shoddy.
In short, whoever you may be,
To this conclusion you'll agree,
When everyone is somebodee,
Then no one's anybody!